Probably by Flajoulot, Paris. With going-barrel movement, iridescent plumage, moving beak, wings, tail and perch, in painted metal case formed as a grand piano with hinged keyboard cover and fall-board, silk-lined key compartment and floriate-pierced grille, the inner lid decorated with a spray of flowers on viridian ground, the case and outer lid painted with scenes of courting figures, musicians and ladies à la Watteau, the sides with Arcadian landscape of ornamental buildings, fountains and statuary, on cast and painted brass cabriole legs, ht. 2 ½ x wd. 3 ¾ x lg. 6 in. (6,5 x 9,5 x 15 cm), missing feathers on one wing. With brass bird-form key. – The mood and style of the decoration recall the 18th century French lacquer technique Vernis Martin (made by adding bronze or gold powder to green varnish) found on painted interiors, furniture and luxury articles such as brisé fans and snuffboxes. Though developed to imitate the East Asian lacquered goods popular during the reign of Louis XV, the traditional palette of blues, green and ochre also echoed the grand, yet sombre, landscapes of the painter Claude Lorrain. – A strikingly designed singing bird box, possibly a special commission retailed by Juvenia.