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Early 20th Century West German Gilded Singing Bird Automaton

$2,000
£1,523
€1,739.17
CA$2,810.25
A$3,083.38
CHF 1,624.17
MX$36,680.01
NOK 20,805.48
SEK 18,998.24
DKK 12,993.25

About the Item

An enchanting jewel of mechanical artistry! This early 20th-century singing bird automaton evokes the romance of Europe's golden age of craftsmanship. Encased within an elegantly domed gilded brass cage with an ornate acanthus-cast finial and richly textured base, a brilliantly plumed songbird, resplendent in vivid yellow feathers with eye-catching black accents, perches amidst hand-fashioned foliage and a delicate turquoise blossom. At the turn of the key, the bird springs to life: its beak opens in song, its head turns, and its tail flickers in harmony with the crystalline warble of its voice. The performance is as much a feat of engineering as it is a celebration of beauty, capturing the fascination with automata that delighted collectors and connoisseurs throughout Europe. Set against a regal burgundy velvet stage, this automaton embodies both mechanical ingenuity and decorative refinement, making it a treasure for collectors of fine music boxes, rare automatons, and objects de vertu.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 10 in (25.4 cm)Diameter: 6 in (15.24 cm)
  • Style:
    Rococo Revival (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Brass,Enamel,Fabric,Feathers,Gold Leaf,Leather,Metal,Paint,Paper,Steel,Velvet,Cast,Gilt,Hand-Crafted,Hand-Painted,Joinery,Metalwork,Painted
  • Place of Origin:
    Germany
  • Period:
    20th Century
  • Date of Manufacture:
    Circa 1930
  • Condition:
    Repaired: The automaton has been professionally serviced and is in full working order, with the bird s movements and melodious song functioning as intended. See video for proof. Wear consistent with age and use. The gilded brass cage retains a warm, lustrous finish with only minor age-appropriate wear consistent with its circa 1930 origin.
  • Seller Location:
    Middleburg, VA
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: 62891stDibs: LU872646334242

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