Lot Essay
US$9,000-10,000
EUR6,500-7,300
EUR6,500-7,300
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CIRCA 1860
Details
A RARE NAPOLEON III SINGING BIRD AUTOMATON TABLE CLOCK WITH SIX INDIVIDUALLY MOVING BIRDS
CIRCA 1860
Naturalistically modelled in wood and silk as a tree, with six birds in the branches and on the ground below: the top bird falling its outspread wings; a bird in a nest below and another on a nearby branch turning; two further birds below each turning and jumping from branch to branch; a further larger bird on the ground bobbing its head up and down as is drinking water from a shell; with spiral twist glass rod off to one side simulating water falling; driven by a movement inside the ebonised plinth which also makes birdsong while the birds are moving and which is wound and released from the side; with ormolu bezel to the white enamel Roman clock dial signed BOLVILLERS A PARIS below VI, with blued steel moon hands, the eight day twin barrel movement with countwheel strike on bell and with stamped repeat signature to the back plate; formerly under glass dome
66 cm. 26" high
CIRCA 1860
Naturalistically modelled in wood and silk as a tree, with six birds in the branches and on the ground below: the top bird falling its outspread wings; a bird in a nest below and another on a nearby branch turning; two further birds below each turning and jumping from branch to branch; a further larger bird on the ground bobbing its head up and down as is drinking water from a shell; with spiral twist glass rod off to one side simulating water falling; driven by a movement inside the ebonised plinth which also makes birdsong while the birds are moving and which is wound and released from the side; with ormolu bezel to the white enamel Roman clock dial signed BOLVILLERS A PARIS below VI, with blued steel moon hands, the eight day twin barrel movement with countwheel strike on bell and with stamped repeat signature to the back plate; formerly under glass dome
66 cm. 26" high