c.1870 Rare Animated Bird Carriage Clock.
French /
Novelty
Inv. #: f241
Maker: Bolviller a Paris
Circa: 1870
Size: 10 in. (top of handle support on case)11.25 in. (handle-up)
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A very rare late 19th-century animated singing bird carriage clock by Bolviller a Paris. When activated the bird rotates side to side, pecks the ground and tweets.
Case
The gilt-bronze tiered sectional case has molded corners, nine beveled glasses, a hinged handle and a colorful bird perched on a naturalistic floral landscape. The top one-piece section is mounted to the glazed center via a key way arrangement and is locked in place by a large screw found just behind the movement.
Dial
The finely lettered white porcelain dial has black Roman numerals for the hours, steel Breguet style hands, is framed by an engraved gilt mask and is signed in tiny lettering just below the number 'VI' - 'Bolviller A Paris'.
Movement
The eight-day time and strike clock movement is mounted above, is wound and set off the backplate, has a cylinder escapement set within sloped shoulders, the repeat button through the viewing glass, carries the maker's stamp, 'Bolviller A Paris' and strikes on a bell.
The animation movement is housed in the base, is wound and activated out the side and controls the bird via wires at the back. When manually activated the bird rotates side to side, pecks the ground and tweets.
Ref: This clock is pictured in 'Carriage and Other Travelling Clocks' by Derek Robert's, pg. 233.
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