Swiss Mechanical Singing Bird Box Having Hand-Painted Mountain Scene Lid

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3 1/2" (9 cm.) x 2 1/2". The lacquered tortoise-shell case has gold-plated brackets at the corners of the case and as starting lever; an oval hinged lid at the center top features a hand-painted mountain scene with boats sailing in the lake, and homes in the foreground. When wound, the lid pops open and the tiny feathered bird pops up, turning side to side and flitting his tail feathers, while singing his bird songs, and then popping down as the lid closes. Excellent condition, hairline crack in shell on the underside, mechanism functions well, original key is preserved in hinged compartment at the back. French, possibly Bontems although attribution not certain, circa 1890.