A Victorian Tortoiseshell Cased Singing-Bird Box, In the Manner...

A Victorian Tortoiseshell Cased Singing-Bird Box, In the Manner of Bontems, Probably French or Swiss, Circa 1900, oblong, the cover with a gilt metal framed cover, enamelled with a bucolic lake scene, the back with a hinged compartment for the winding key, in fitted red leather case, the box 9.5cm wide

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. There is some scratching to the case overall, particularly noticeable to the bottom. There is also a chip to the tortoiseshell on the front of the case as can be seen in the catalogue illustration. There is an area of restoration/over-painting to the sky on the enamel plaque. This has been very inexpertly done and can be seen in the catalogue illustration. The mechanism does not operate properly or fully. The bird does move and chirp but the movement is sluggish and does not run through a full cycle. The bird only retracts by manually operating the lever. There is some surface scratching and wear to the case as well as some loss to the leather and general soiling.