Fine and scarce Swiss fusee tortoise shell and painted enamel singing bird box
by Jacques Brugier, Geneva, circa 1850. The shell box in particularly fine
condition with a hinged compartment in the back. The top of the cover finely painted with
a Swiss lake scene, the underside with a bouquet of flowers against a blue background.
When the slide is activated the lid opens, the
colorful feathered bird pops up and moves from side to side moving its beak, neck, 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. Most attractive.