Fine and lovely French tortoise shell and painted enamel singing bird box by Bontems
circa 1890.
The cover (hairline) with a charming painted enamel courting scene. The movement with
pinned plates.
When the slide is activated the lid opens, the colorful feathered bird pops up and
moves from side to side moving its beak, wings and tail in time with the
chirps produced by the internal bellows and tuned pipe. Then the bird drops back
into the box and the lid closes automatically.