A superb tortoiseshell and silver gilt singing bird box. This is a French Bontems No 11 model from the late 19th century . The silver gilt lid is engraved . On sliding the operating lever the lid opens and the full bodied bird pops through the grille & begins singing. It has a moving ivory beak, the bird turns, flaps his wings and tail and after his performance pops down through the grille & the lid lowers. 4 inches wide by 2.6 inches deep by 1.3 inches high ( 10 cms by 6.5 cms by 3.25 cms). French circa 1890.