ANTIQUE ENAMEL SINGING BIRD BOX AUTOMATON CLOCK MUSIC BOX (WATCH VIDEO)

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AMAZING FULL PICTORIAL VIENNESE ENAMEL SOLID STERLING SILVER AND GUILLOCHE ANTIQUE SINGING BIRD BOX WITH CLOCK The quality of the hand painted enamel scenes is superb and equally amazing is the exceptional guilloche tooling which is both very fine, intricate and differs throughout the case. The case design/shape is also rare and would have been difficult to craft. Zoom in and look closely at the fine details and watch the video where I provide a full 360 degree perspective which showcases the quality of the guilloche and enamel work. The video provides stronger pixel quality and enamel detail. Of special note is the wonderful radial guilloche tooling underneath the enamel scenes on the top case and lid. It generates a kaleidoscopic effect with exceptional depth when the light hits it. This case took a lot of skill and time to craft. The case was clearly a commission piece made in Vienna and was then imported into the UK to finish the bird box. The case bottom is appropriately hallmarked with the UK import hallmark and date letter for 1931. UK hallmarked singing bird boxes are rare as very few were crafted in the UK. Every millimeter of this case was expertly decorated leaving no room for screws which is normally how the top case piece fastens to the main case. As such, which is also rare, the top case piece is a pressure fit using small silver nibs to secure the top to the main case. The case bottom has a tiny compartment to store the key. The original bird is highly colorful boasting a rainbow of colorful iridescent hummingbird feathers. Iridescent feathers present themselves differently depending upon the light source and viewing angle. I tried to capture the beauty of this bird using different angles in my video but cameras never do these feathers justice. This case is also fitted with a tiny clock that has both a 12 and 24 hour markers. The dial is original and does show patina. The clock movement is Swiss, 15 jewels and adjusted to two positions. It keeps excellent time. Overall condition is excellent including the enamel. There was one tiny repair on the oval lid near the hinge and several exceptionally small nicks to the opaque blue and white enamel borders. No damage or repairs to the full pictorial enamel scenes on the top case or main case or to the transparent blue enamel that is over the guilloche work. I fully serviced (cleaned, adjusted, lubricated) the mechanical movement so this singing bird box operates perfectly. The bellows were just freshly recovered with zephyr skin and are good for another 85 years. Buyers should be cautious when purchasing an antique singing bird box - always insist on seeing a photo of the mechanical movement for any singing bird box described as "antique". Over 75% of the "antique" singing bird boxes for sale on eBay & other other venues are not antique and many even have brand new mechanisms inside which are not disclosed to buyers. This significantly impacts both current value and future value appreciation. The bird animates perfectly as follows: wings flap up/down, beak opens/closes, tail flutters up/down, bird turns left/right all the while singing to a beautiful oscillating bird song that is synchronized to the bird animation. WATCH THE VIDEO (if you listen very carefully, you will notice that this bird box utilizes the full octave scale of the whistle - hitting a few exceptionally high notes). This was accomplished with some of the cam teeth being crafted just several thousandths of an inch deeper than most bird box movement cams). It is a wonderful and full bird song with more octave variation as a result. PLEASE EXPLORE MY OTHER LISTINGS. I ONLY SELL MECHANICAL MUSIC (SINGING BIRD BOXES, SINGING BIRD CAGES & MUSIC BOXES), CLOCKS & WATCHES SO YOU CAN HAVE COMFORT THAT I KNOW MY PRODUCT AND UNDERSTAND WHAT I AM SELLING. 100% SATISFACTION GUARANTEED - PLEASE READ MY SELLING FEEDBACK COMMENTS ***** FAST, 1 DAY SHIPPING & EXCELLENT SHIPPING/PACKAGING SERVICE GLOBALLY***** F... read more

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