Still bearing the remains of a Venetian dealer’s paper label, this 19th century continental singing bird automaton will go under the hammer at Darlington saleroom Thomas Watson on February 27.
Engraved with bands of laurel and mounted with stylised flower heads, the 4in (10cm) wide gilt-metal box has a hinged musical trophy that opens to reveal a multi-coloured turning and tweeting bird. The box comes in an original fitted case with a bird-form key and is estimated at £2000-3000.