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Swiss Gold Singing Bird Box by Bruguier

  • The renowned Charles Bruguier created this rare, early Swiss fusée singing bird box
  • Ornately chased entirely in 18K gold, this birdbox is a decorative as well as a technical marvel
  • With just the touch of a button, the top cover opens to reveal a singing bird
  • Bird boxes such as this are a marvel of engineering and craftsmanship
  • Get complete item description here
Price Upon Request
Item No. 31-1262

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Description
This Swiss fuseé singing bird box opens at the push of a button to reveal a hand-feathered singing bird automaton. Crafted from 18K gold, the beautifully chased box was created by the renowned Charles Bruguier, who was admired both for his superb artistic and mechanical craftsmanship. During Bruguier's career, he produced an average of only 27 of these boxes each year. This model is particularly rare because the tiny bird moves not only his beak,. . .
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This Swiss fuseé singing bird box opens at the push of a button to reveal a hand-feathered singing bird automaton. Crafted from 18K gold, the beautifully chased box was created by the renowned Charles Bruguier, who was admired both for his superb artistic and mechanical craftsmanship. During Bruguier's career, he produced an average of only 27 of these boxes each year. This model is particularly rare because the tiny bird moves not only his beak, but also his head and wings as he chirps his delightful song. It is also crafted entirely from gold, setting it apart from the majority of other examples that are crafted from gilded silver.

Singing bird boxes such as this example display some of the most complicated movements of all automata. The earliest bird boxes were fusée, or chain driven, which meant they played longer and clearer than later models. Few boasted as complex a movement as this example, which is composed of hundreds of complicated moving parts within the diminutive case. A painstaking and costly process was required to create just one of these elaborately ornamented treasures, and each was wonderfully unique. Bird boxes exhibiting this superior level of detail and design are extremely rare today, especially those in such excellent, working condition.

Circa 1840

3 1/2" wide x 2 1/4" deep x 1 1/4" high
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Swiss Gold Singing Bird Box by Bruguier
Period: 19th Century
Origin: Switzerland
Type: Bird Boxes
Depth: 2.25 Inches
Width: 3.5 Inches
Height: 1.25 Inches
Style: Neoclassical
Buy with Confidence

At M.S. Rau, we are committed to building a long-term, rewarding relationship with each and every client. That’s why your purchase is backed by our 125% guarantee.

Learn More

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