Blaise Bontems, An Extremely Fine & Rare Automaton Double Singing Bird Music Box
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Description
Blaise Bontems, An Extremely Fine & Rare Automaton Double Singing Bird Music Box, in the form of a Porcelain Jardiniere, 1870-1880, Paris. Bird with turquoise plumage, articulated head, beak and tail controlled by going-barrel movement with bellows and whistle for birdsong, sits atop arrangement of artificial flowers on a perch, when activated its head swivels, flaps its tail and moves its beak, second bird sits in nest. Mounted in an extremely fine hand-painted porcelain jardiniere, with painted scenes of birds, butterflies and flowers. Porcelain is in very good condition. Movement is sluggish but works. Blaise Bontems (1814 - 1893) was a noted Parisian specialist in the manufacture of automaton singing birds and the first of a dynasty of automaton manufacturers, which included his son Charles Jules and his grandson Lucien. Bontems birds were famous for the realism of their song. 20" high x 12 wide
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More Information
Origin: France Period: 19th Century Materials: Porcelain Condition: Good. Creation Date: 1870 Styles / Movements: Other, Traditional Incollect Reference #: 310950 -
Dimensions
W. 12 in; H. 20 in; Diam. 12 in; W. 30.48 cm; H. 50.8 cm; Diam. 30.48 cm;
Message from Seller:
For four generations, Solomon Treasure has obtained a reputation for dealing in rare and important 18th – 19th century antiques and fine art.
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