Gilt-finished movement, entirely engine-turned sunray guilloché translucent blue enamel decorated rectangular-shaped box with light blue champlevé enamel borders, rounded corners decorated with black champlevé enamel and chased gold flower cornucopiae, the top with pearl-set borders, the hinged oval lid with finely painted polychrome enamel bouquet of flowers, opening to reveal the singing bird and a gold engraved grille, activated on request, the bird will rotate on its axis, flap its wings and tail and turn its head, in time to a realistically imitated bird song, the bird also mounted with realistic multi-coloured feathers, when the song has finished the bird automatically retreats inside the box and the lid closes, hinged panel to the back revealing the key compartment, slide to front panel to activate the singing bird mechanism,73 mm. x 49 mm. x 24 mm.

This high-quality gold and enamel singing bird box is an exceptional example of the high quality of objects produced by the most eminent craftsmen in Geneva during the 19th century.
Such singing bird boxes are extraordinary for the complexity of the mechanisms which drive the automaton bird’s action. The first such singing bird automatons appeared in Geneva in the late 18th century and were highly appreciated works of art, not only in Europe, but also by Chinese and Ottoman dignitaries.