This stunning Faberge Egg to honor the singing bird tradition is simply exquisite. A limited edition piece, it is hand-painted, 24K gold incrustation Limoges porcelain egg. Like all Faberge Imperial eggs (in the great tradition of the gifts for the Czars) each egg comes with a surprise. The surprise in this egg is a miniature Reuge (swiss-made) version of the famous singing bird in a gilded cage. The bird has real antique feathers and naturalistically moves its beak and wings as it sings. The height is 12" (most of the Imperial eggs are 7").
For more than 200 years a few dedicated individuals, their families, and subsequent companies have continuously produced Mechanical Singing Bird Automata (also known as Singing Bird Tabatieres). These intricate and ingenious mechanical devices were for many years only available to royalty and the very wealthy. While still highly exclusive and a luxury item, these singing bird automata have made their way around the world and are handed down in families as precious heirlooms.
From about 1905 up until 1980 the Griesbaum family (particularly Karl Griesbaum) was one of the highest quality manufacturers of bird boxes and cages in the world. The traditional markings on those older pieces are signs of quality sought out by collectors worldwide.Originally the French and Swiss (Jaquet-Droz, Frisard, Bruguier, Rochat) invented and perfected the mechanisms. For the longest time each piece was individually created, signed, and had its own quirks. Bontems in France and ultimately several German companies (including Eschle and Griesbaum) were able to create techniques that allowed a bit higher production and lowered the costs (a bit!). Today there are only two manufacturers in the world with the rights and know-how to continue this wonderful tradition. Reuge during the 1900s purchased Bontems and Eschle and has continuously advanced these mechanisms until today. Griesbaum stopped production in the 1980s but the assets, designs, and tooling were purchased and reopened just a few years ago by MMM of Germany.Each era of mechanical bird design has its own charm and dedicated collectors. Reuge and Griesbaum continue to innovate and add bird songs and enhancements to the mechanisms. Qualified repairers can bring your long-deceased birds back to life. Some of the older bird boxes have more than 1000 moving parts. The modern pieces still have a few hundred pieces.
