French Musical Singing Bird, Bontems in Octagonal Bronze Gilt Cage, Porcelain Panels

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20" (51 cm.) An octagon-shaped bronze bird cage with very rich gold finish has eight arches held by ribbed columns and surmounted by sculpted bronze winged birds; the cage rests upon a bronze base with eight intricately framed porcelain hand-painted panels by Sevres, each depicting a romantic pastoral scene in the 18th century manner. The bronze base contains a highly intricate mechanism that operates from a keywind and lever at the side. Inside the cage is a bronze perch upon which is posed a richly feathered bird which, when wound, realistically flits its head from side to side, feathers its tail, and chirps a lovely bird song. Condition: generally excellent, mechanism functions well. Marks: Bontems Paris (bird perch). Comments: Bontems, Paris, circa 1885. A reviewer of the 1878 International Exposition in Paris said this of the Bontems exhibition: "Monsieur Bontems is both a mechanic and a naturalist. He must have spent his childhood wandering through the forest, running through the thickets, or lying under the bushes. He has studied the minutest details of birds' behavior and the most subtle modulations of their songs. He knows how they beat their wings, flutter their tails, raise their crests, swell their breasts, launch into song, their notes pure, vibrant, joyous or melancholy." Value Points: a luxurious and very rare offering from the prestigious Paris firm with detail of gilded bronze cage enhancing the beautiful sound and movement of the bird.