Description
A Rare Armenian-Style Austro-Hungarian Silver-Gilt and Enamel Cloisonné Bird Automaton Music Box, Set with Turquoise Stones, Circa 1870s
Overview
Discover a rare and exquisite Austro-Hungarian silver-gilt and enamel cloisonné bird automaton music box, crafted around the 1870s. This extraordinary piece blends Ottoman, Armenian, and European artistry and is adorned with turquoise stones, showcasing exceptional craftsmanship and historical significance.
Key Features
- Cultural Fusion: The music box features intricate Ottoman floral motifs, including tulips and hyacinths with elongated stems and delicate branches, reminiscent of 16th-century Iznik ceramics and textiles.
- Exceptional Craftsmanship: Likely commissioned by an Armenian silversmith, the box displays Armenian silversmithing techniques such as parallel molded patterns, beaded rows, and rhombic decorations. These elements are meticulously soldered along the upper and lower rims, emphasizing fine artistry.
- Cloisonné Enameling: The decoration comprises silver wires forming floral designs, filled with vibrant opaque and champlevé enamels. The rich purple ground is accented with turquoise tulips and foliage in shades of green and red.
- 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. The mechanism, likely Swiss or French, operates by inserting and winding the key in the keyhole beneath the box. When activated, the bird emerges, sings, and retreats as the lid closes.
- Turquoise Accents: The lid is adorned with one large turquoise stone and two smaller ones, complemented by additional turquoise embellishments along the upper surface and sides. Each rectangular panel is also set with three small turquoise stones, enhancing the luxurious appearance.
Historical Significance
This automaton music box embodies the cross-cultural artistry of the Austro-Hungarian period, integrating Ottoman, Armenian, and European influences. The box bears distinctive silver marks, including a lion’s head, the letter “P,” and the number “4,” confirming its origin.
The hinged lid reveals a pierced gilt silver screen and a singing feathered bird, a testament to the Ottoman preference for elaborate decorative objects. The floral ornamentation, featuring tulips and hyacinths with elongated stems and floral branches, aligns with traditional Ottoman designs seen in Iznik ceramics and textiles.
The Armenian craftsmanship is evident in the meticulous silverwork, including parallel molded patterns, beaded chains, rhombic rows, and zigzag designs—techniques widely used in the Ottoman Empire.
A secret compartment at the back of the box holds the bird-shaped key, demonstrating thoughtful design and functionality. The automaton mechanism, with Swiss or German engineering influences, is finely tuned via an additional key slot at the base.
Provenance and Related Works
According to Osep Tokat in Armenian Master Silversmith, Armenian artisans were renowned for their skills in gold and silversmithing, often commissioned by various global markets, including the Ottoman Empire. Many Armenian silversmiths worked across Europe and the Middle East, leaving a lasting imprint on fine metalwork.
Similar musical boxes, likely crafted by Armenian masters, have appeared in prestigious auction houses:
- Christie’s Auction House, Paris (7 March 2017, Live Auction 14636, Lot 65)
- Sotheby’s Auction House (Lot 208)
- Bonhams Auction House, Knightsbridge (19 April 2011, Swiss musical box by A. Frères Rochat, Lot 45, 207)
Dimensions
- Height: 4.3 cm
- Width: 10 cm
- Depth: 6.5 cm
Condition
- Mechanism in good working order
- Stained silver
- Minimal enamel loss
