Birdcage Automaton By Karl Briesbaum

BIRDCAGE AUTOMATON 

This is an antique singing bird automaton in a brass cage by Karl Griesbaum.

Date c1910-20

German Brass two bird singing automaton, set in a wire Birdcage with a decorated base.

The birds both chirp and move to the music, using a wind up key on the underside.

The sound of the bird song is exceptional quality with a variety of patterns and sounds lasting approximately a minute.

All clockwork and birds movements are in full working order

Please see video for sample of song and movement.

Function: The clockwork mechanism causes the artificial birds to sing and move their heads, beaks, and tails. 

Origin: These pieces were perfected by makers like Blaise Bontems of France in the mid-1800s and later made by companies such as Karl Griesbaum of Germany.

Features: The cage typically contains one or two birds perched on a branch with metal or cloth foliage. 

Appeal: They are rare and highly popular decorative items and sought after by collectors of automatons and musical boxes.