Unusual singing bird box by Bontems in tortoiseshell, silver gilt and hand painted enamel. A fine box in very good condition. The blonde tortoiseshell has no damage or repairs and has a hinged snuff or key compatment to the rear. The grille through which the bird appears is very well pierced. The silver gilt lid is unusually for Bontems is hand painted in enamel not on one side as is usual but on both sides. The top of the lid is decorated with a neo-classical scene of a lake and Paladian folly with two amorini on a fountain and hills in the distance. The underside of the lid has another lovely scene of a lake surrounded by trees and shrubs. The bird is in excellent condition with two part moving ivory beak and original iridescent feathers. On pressing the operating lever to the right the lid opens and the fullbodied 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. 4.25 inches wide by 3.5 inches deep and 1.75 inches high ( 11 cms by 8.75 cms by 4.375 cm).