File:Singing Bird Box by Charles Bruguier.jpg

English: Swiss fusee singing bird box by Bruguier in silver gilt and hand painted enamel. The movement stamped CHARLES BRUGUIER GENEVE and numbered 536. The solid silver and original flash gilded case all over engraved and engine turned, including the base. The case with typical Bruguier form canted corners and with the top of the case patterned in silver to the outside edges but completely covered in hand painted enamel of flowers on a pale blue ground. The opening lid with concentric patterns to the bezel has a trademark Bruguier lid scene of an Alpine scene with chalet in the foreground with a view of the Alps in the distance. The key wound chain driven fusee movement working the bellows & driving multiple cams that on sliding the operating lever to the front, the lid opens and the bird pops up and 1/ opens & shuts the ivory beak, 2/ turns its head from left to right, 3/ flaps the wings and finally 4/ pirouettes left and right. On completion of his 20 second performance he drops through the pierced silver gilt grille and the lid closes after him. Swiss circa 1850. 4 inches by 2.5 inches by 1.5 inches (10 cms by 6.25 cms by 3.75 cms).