Posted: 1 December 2021
Category: Company News
Singing bird box automaton plays a valuable tune
The joy of our job is that no two days are ever the same because you never know what you might find. Yesterday whilst attending at a solicitor’s office to undertake a probate valuation of jewellery and silver, I discovered, much to my delight, a singing bird box.
They do occasionally appear for sale at auction but not with great regularity and in over 40 years of selling items for clients I have personally only handled about five or six.
This example was made in Switzerland in the 19th century in silver gilt decorated with cloisonné enamel birds amidst foliage and set with sapphires, rubies and pearls on dragon feet. Although in working order, with the bird flapping its wings and singing a sweet tune, it does lack its original key.
It is unclear at the moment if the family will sell the box but if they decide to it could fetch as much as £4000.
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