A magnificent solid silver gilt and enamel singing bird box by Jacques Bruguier of Geneva, Switzerland with fusee automaton movement. The box is a tour de force of the silversmith and engravers skill with superb geometric patterns surrounding the case on an engine turned field. The base is beautifully decorated on a hatched field with engraved flowers to the corners and a central cartouche and floral decoration surrounding it. There is a moulding surrounding the upper edge of the case which is decorated in a flowing rococco style with trailinf flowers and ferns. The top of the case is decorated with a deep blue enamel ground and very finely decorated with flower posies to the four corners and elaborate enamelled scrolling between. Alond the top edges are a form of guilloche decoration with infills of malachite green and also turquoise enamel. The enamel lid, in excellent condition shows a wonderfully executed Alpine scene with a alpine cottage to the left and a lake with boats in the forground. Surrounding the lid is a narrow oval band of enamel within which a further band of superb trailing ferns in silver in high relief. The singing bird box has its original ratchet key. 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 superbly pierced silver gilt grille and the lid closes after him. The movement is scratch signed Bruguier Jacques Cendrier 14, Geneva. There are initials and the date 1st January 1889 in the cartouche on the base but this has been done some time after the box had originally been finished. Swiss circa 1870. 4 inches by 2.5 inches by 1.5 inches (10 cms by 6.25 cms by 3.75 cms).