Antique singing bird box in superb condition made in Switzerland by Charles Bruguier. The solid silver case all over engraved and engine turned including the base. Panels of lilac coloured guilloche enamel on all sides and the case top with a hand painted scene to the lifting lid. Superb fusee movement with fine grille and beautifully decorated bird with ivory beak. When operated the bird sings and pirouettes for an unusually long time ( almost 20 seconds of playing time). The box is key wound from the base and operated by a slide to the front right of the case. Key wound chain driven fusee movement working the bellows & driving cams that on sliding the operating slide 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, 4/ pirouettes left and right. On completion of his 20 second performance he drops through the pierced silver gilt grille and the lid closes after him.