Flajoulot Porcelain Bird Box

This exquisite automated bird box was made in Paris, France by renowned maker Flajoulot in 1885. Beautiful colored enamels and silver adorn all sides and top of the case. The colors include vibrant blues, greens, teals, ans whites, as well as a malachite rim around the top. Under the blue enamel on the front of the bird box appears to be a malachite peacocks, as well as a malachite fleur-de-lis on the sides and back. On the lid there are two cherubs, flanked by shepherds tending their sheep. At some point there were some very minor repairs done to the bottom-left edge of the lid and the rear-left side of the case bottom. The going barrel movement is wound with a key that is stored in the rear drop-back compartment, a feature found on the finest 19th century bird boxes by Flajoulot. When the bird button on the front of the case is slid to the right, the bird pops up to sing its song, dressed in its original plumage. It flaps its wings and tail feathers and opens and closes its ivory beak, all while swiveling from side to side. This sleeker profile bird box is also exclusive to the earlier French and Swiss bird boxes, as opposed to their larger 20th century German counterparts. Condition: Dimensions: 3 - 3/4" x 2 - 1/2" x 1 - 1/2".