Singing Bird clock by Bontems (Paris) with 2 Automatons and Musical Mechanism

Clock made by Bontems in France at the end of the 19th century.

It is an absolute Top-piece for Bontems :

1. The luxurious case with enamel!

2. The rare escapement on the clock (no 2nd known with this escapement!!!).

2. There are 2 birds (only a few others known with 2 birds...)

4. There are the singing birds AND a music box (never seen before!!!).

The case is richly decorated with white, blue and red enamels. All enamel is in very good condition. On top of the clock 2 birds. The whole is gilded.

The clock mechanism :

The mechanism strikes the hours and half-hours on a gong. Very exceptional is the escapement. This clock has no pendulum, but a balance mounted on the front of the dial. This makes this version very exceptional. Some research tells us that no other clock (used by Bontems) with this exceptional mechanism can be found.

The dial has a light blue enamel ring and cartouches with the hours.

The automaton and the birds :

This clock features 2 birds. One sings, a few minutes before the hour, a nice melody while the other listens attentively. One bird moves its head, beak and tail, the other turns its head from side to side while listening to the tune.

After the birds sing, a musical tune starts. The musical work has 3 melodies and one can choose whether to hear one melody after another or the same melody each time.

3 winding keys : Clock, musical mechanism (base left), singing bird (base right)

3 control levers : On/Off bird (and music), Music at will, C

VERY rare and valuable piece!!!