Exceptionally rare silver gilt and enamel singing bird cage of delicate size and of very fine quality. The eight sided cage with canted corners sits on four paw feet and the base is decorated with inlaid blue enamel in a floral design. To the centre of the four main sides of the base a silver medallion shows two cupids fighting. The base is further decorated with florets, floral corner mounts and cherub heads. The cage itself is held up by eight decorative columns with acanthus decoration to the base. The space between is filled in with five silver rods and four columns of turned silver wire. The top of the cage is held by eight cupids and between each pair is a silver and blue enamelled finial. The dome top is cut with filigree work and terminates in a blue enamel and silver handle. On each arch of the dome is a trophy of crossed torches of love. The cage has a door that opens to allow easy viewing of the bird. The floor of the cage is engraved with square patterns and the bird itself is sitting in a beautifully fashioned bird bath. When activated by pulling the silver knob on the right hand side of the cage the bird with fine original feathering starts to sing and move from left to right, opening and shutting its wings and also its beak. After about 15 seconds the bird stops until it is activated again. Key wound from below. German or Austro-Hungarian. Circa 1910. 9 inches high by 4.5 inches wide and deep (22.5 cm by 11.25 cm). Please note to those being sent here by a link. Buyer beware. Things are not always what they seem. While I am flattered by the over generous description given me I am not happy that my site is being used to make comparisons between poor quality late copies on other sites and genuine items that I have for sale.