A magnificent singing bird box automaton in silver gilt with beautifully decorated and colourful enamels and filigree work further enhanced with pearls and jewelling. Set on a broad base with four bracket feet and two drawers, a large one to the front and a fine hinged key or snuff recess to the back. To the corners of the base are typical Austrian enamel work winged harpies, but in silver. The filigree and silver work is of a very high quality and the gilding to the silver is in excellent condition and the enamels are exceptionally rich in colour.The box has Austrian silver marks. On pulling the operating lever the full bodied bird pops through the grille & begins singing. It has a moving beak, the bird turns, flaps his wings and tail and after his performance pops down through the grille. Austrian circa 1910. 4.75 inches wide 3.25 inches high and 3.75 inches deep ( 11.87 cms by 8 cms by 9.4 cms).