Description
Discover our rare and exquisite Austro-Hungarian silver-gilt and enamelled cloisonné bird automaton music box, crafted around the 1870s. This unique piece, adorned with turquoise stones, represents a remarkable blend of Ottoman, Armenian, and European artistry.
Key Features:
- Cultural Fusion: This music box features intricate Ottoman floral motifs, such as tulips and hyacinths, with elongated stems and delicate branches. The designs reflect influences from Ottoman Iznik ceramics and textiles dating back to the 16th century.
- Exceptional Craftsmanship: Likely commissioned by an Armenian silversmith, the box showcases Armenian silversmithing techniques, including parallel moulded patterns, beaded rows, and rhombic decorations. These elements are soldered along the upper and lower rims, emphasizing the detailed artistry.
- Cloisonné Enamelling: The decoration involves silver wires soldered to form floral designs, filled with vibrant opaque and champlevé enamels. The box’s ground is a rich purple, with turquoise tulips and foliage in shades of red and green.
- Automaton Bird Mechanism: Beneath the hinged oval lid lies a singing feathered bird, activated by a bird-shaped key stored in a secret compartment at the back. This mechanism, likely Swiss or German, highlights the precision of European watchmaking traditions.
- Turquoise Accents: One large turquoise stone with similar two smaller stones embellish the lid, with additional eight smaller stones set along the upper surface and sides, also each rectangular panel on the sides is set with three small turquoise stones enhancing the box’s luxurious appearance.
Historical Significance:
This automaton music box reflects the cross-cultural artistry of the Austro-Hungarian period, drawing on Ottoman, Armenian, and European design elements. The box bears distinctive silver marks, including a lion’s head, the letter “P,” and the number “4,” confirming its origin.
