A most unusual antique fusee singing bird box by Charles Bruguier in engine turned silver case. The early number of this superb singing bird box is 166 and dates it to around 1830 at the latest. The form of the box is very similar to the tortoiseshell singing bird boxes produced by both Bruguier and the earlier firm of Rochat. The dimensions are very similar and the form of the snuff box behind is almost identical. Another unusual feature is that of the lid. Although of absolutely typical form in its construction, hardware and engraving both sides of the lid have been engine turned and enamelled, a type of work known as guilloche enamel and something rarely seen on Bruguier's work, although it was used on the case of the earliest known Bruguier, number 24. The workmanship on the case, the very fine engine turning and the quality of the snuff hinge together with being unmarked ( a feature of Swiss silver) indicates that this was made in Switzerland, is contempory with the movement and may have been a special commission. A piece of paper found within the box indicates a provenance with a Maharaja near Calcutta who may have been the original owner. The fusee bird boxes have additional animation to the spring driven ones, the head moves from side to side for example. He bird box is key wound from beneath and when the start slide is pressed to the right the lid lifts, the bird pops up and starts to sing and at the same time turning to left and right, flaps his wings, opens and shuts his ivory beak and allows his head to turn from side to side. When he completes after about 15 seconds he pops down beneath the grill and the lid closes. Swiss circa 1830.