Tortoiseshell singing bird automata music box, 19th Century,...

Hammer

£400

Tortoiseshell singing bird automata music box, 19th Century, having a landscape enamelled cover opening to a pop up singing bird with iridescent feathers (one wing is detached but present), and gilt brass filigree grille, plain rectangular case with hinged compartment housing a later key, 10cm x 7cm x 3cm

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The enamel cover has a 1cm x 8mm chip adjacent to the hinge. When open there is also chipping around the spring hinge on the inside of the cover. The grill appears to be in good condition and the bird pops up correctly. The bird sings freely and turns and spins with wing outstretched; its other wing being detached. When closing the enamel cover is gapping due to the bend adjacent to the hinge. There are cracks to the lacquer panel on the underside. There is a tiny loss to the hinge of the opening cover. There is slight bruising to the tortoiseshell at the corners at the front. Scratches elsewhere.
The box has a key.