A very fine vintage single singing bird in cage, by Karl Griesbaum German, circa 1930 Continuous and pause action A charming and finely made example of Griesbaum’s ever-popular singing bird automata, combining elegant form with impressive mechanical ingenuity. When wound and the start/stop/pause lever engaged, the bird animates with remarkable naturalism—turning its head from side to side, opening and closing its beak, and gently flicking its tail feathers, all in perfect synchronisation with the birdsong. The inclusion of the pause function is particularly desirable, allowing the song to be broken into irregular, lifelike phrases rather than a continuous cycle, enhancing the illusion of a living creature. The bird, with softly coloured plumage accented by darker streaking to the breast and wings, is set upon a brass T-bar perch adorned with delicately worked foliage, flower buds, and berries. The interior is finished with a rich blue ground, providing a pleasing contrast to the gilt cage. The cage itself is of elegant domed form with a cast finial and suspension ring, decorated with finely chased bands and double-twist uprights at the corners. It sits upon a gilt gesso base of octagonal outline, crisply moulded with geometric relief to all sides, giving the piece a strong architectural presence despite its modest scale. Griesbaum, working in Germany in the early 20th century, built upon the innovations of earlier makers such as Bontems, refining both the mechanical reliability and the expressive qualities of these miniature automata. Pieces such as this demonstrate the firm’s ability to combine technical precision with decorative charm, resulting in objects that remain highly collectible today. A delightful and decorative object, offering both visual appeal and engaging movement—an excellent example of its type. Size: 11 in. high; 6.5 in. wide; 5.25 in. deep (28 x 16.5 x 13 cm)