A rare antique silver and boulle tortoiseshell sarcophagus-form singing bird box, by E. Flajoulot. Extremely elaborate cut brass inlay into the premier partie scarlet tortoiseshell. When wound and the silver gilt start/stop slide moved to the right, the bird appears through smartly pressed and pierced silver gilt grille, moving polished metal beak, wings, bobbing tailfeather and turning body from side-to-side to continuous synchronised birdsong. The bird with delicate chevron-banded feathered plumage in dark orange and brown tones, accentuated by flashes of blue and iridescent green highlights, lid interior with a finely executed painted study of a spray of flowers against a powder blue background, bird lid top with a young couple courting in a meadow. Going-barrel movement. Serial number 1254 . An exceptionally rare piece. 4in. Wide, 2.5/8in. Deep, 1.1/2in. High - (10 x 6.5 x 4cm)