A fine and very unusual Swiss fusee singing bird box by Bruguier. The case in exquisite and perfect condition with not a mark on the well figured tortoiseshell case, with the tortoiseshell hinge for the snuff or key compartment also in perfect condition. The gold lid beautifully painted to the top with a beautiful bouquet of flowers on a black ground. The underside plain and reflects the moving bird. 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 performance he drops through the pierced silver gilt grille and the lid closes after him. The outstanding and unusual point about this particular bird box is the length of his song which runs to 29 seconds or 50% longer than the best Bruguiers normally sing for and three times the length of the song of a spring box. Swiss circa 1850. 3.75 inches wide by 2.5 inches deep by 1.25 inches high ( 9.375 cms by 5.625 cms by 3.125 cms)