Large Singing Bird Bocage Automaton by Bontems, c. 1885

With flowering tree in sculpted papier-mâché landscape filled with foliage and ferns, ten stationary birds perched amidst the branches, three articulated birds flapping or flitting from branch to branch, two mirrored glass ponds with swan paddling in a circle and a pair of ducks turning and bobbing before a twisting glass waterfall, on wood ogee base containing going-barrel motor, two sets of bellows for twittering effect, boxwood cams and pulleys, under appropriate antique (but not original) glass dome, ht. 28 in. (71 cm), birds with bright original plumage, good unrestored working condition, base painted red, dome slightly too large at the sides. With key. - A well-presented singing bird automaton of impressive proportions.