A carved wooden base with gilded over gesso finish encloses the bird mechanism and supports the brass cage with heavy cast brass ball and handle finial. A brass perch inside the cage supports a lovely colorful bird. The bird turns its head, flutters its tail and opens and closes its beak. Its bird sounds are greatly varied and quite lovely, and between each sound, the bird pauses its movement and its song.
Historical References: The Parisian's fascination with nature led them to re-create the sounds and sights of the countryside for display in sophisticated city salons. Yet the appeal of mechanical musical birds reached far beyond Paris. Travelers from America, South America, the Indies and the Far East found these parlor fancies to their liking for they combined in a delightful way, the mechanical art and the glory of nature. A reporter at the 1878 International Exposition said of the Bontem's birds "I do not think anyone has ever carried the imitation of nature further." Circa 1885.