22" French Singing Birds in Tree with Waterfall and Pond by Bontems

Live Auction

Arranged upon an ebonized wooden base is an elaborate paper mache ground with stone formation from which a glass "waterfall" tumbles, mirrored ponds, beautiful ferns and leaves, and a tall rose bush with a bevy of cream roses and leaves. There are three mechanical birds in the bush; a red bird atop that flutters its wings, a long-beaked green bird in the center that flits from branch to branch turning all the while, and a blue-feathered bird at the pond that appears to be drinking. Bird sounds are at the pond that appears to be drinking. Bird sounds are generous and realistic. The arrangement is preserved under a glass dome (restored at the back side). Circa 1880.