SINGING BIRD BOXES

All prices in Swiss Francs (CHF).

How to buy

1. Read the page "Order".

2. Contact us for inquiries/orders.

The "Charles Reuge" singing bird box, immortializing all that is beautiful, is truly delicate craftsmanship. The simple lines and materials are a striking contrast to the vivid colors of the bird.

Precious woods, noble metals and sparkling lacquer encase the mechanical movement consisting of about 250 pieces. The miniature bird whistles, pivots, opens its beak, flaps its wings and moves its tail for about 10 to 12 seconds before disappearing as if by magic.

History

Approximately 10 years before the birth of mechanical music, Messrs. Jaquet-Droz of La Chaux-de-Fonds (Switzerland), manufacturers of complex clocks, perfected a singing bird automaton and miniaturised its movement, which they subsequently incorporated in their high-class clocks.

In the 19th century, singing birds were very popular in China. It is said that the Chinese lords used them to teach real birds how to sing! At the time, singing bird competitions were a common occurence, even in Europe.

The technique was transferred to Reuge by the Bontems company in Paris and by Eschle in Germany. These enterprises were purchased by Reuge in the 1960s in order to safeguard the tradition and to be able to offer you exquisite examples of this extraordinary art.

Instructions

Song-bird mechanism:

The mechanism, comprising over 250 parts, enables the bird to flap its wings, wag its tail and opens its bleak in times with the music. Once its song, which lasts roughly 14 seconds, is over, the bird disappears automatically as if by magic.

To start the mechanism:

Wind the mechanism up using the key on the bottom of the box and press the knob on the right-hand side. The oval medallion will then open, the bird will spring forth from its nest and burst into song. The song ends and the lid will close automatically.

Warning: Never close or open the medallion shaped lid by hand as this will seriously damage the workings of the mechanism. If the bird stops moving before the medallion lid has closed, all you have to do is to rewind the mechanism using the key as described above. The song will then come to an end and the lid will close in the normal way.

Transparent Bird Box

Gilt Brass + Glass, Special finish mechanism with Gold plating.

Size: 11,8 x 7,3 x 4,2 cm

Item No.: 92.6960

Price: 8000 CHF

Bird Box "Dawn Chorus"

Singing Bird Box in Burr Walnut, glossy lacquered. Traditional, rectangular shape.

Size: 12 x 7,5 x 4 cm

Item No.: 92.6875

Price: 4100 CHF

Bird Box "Black Tie"

SOLD OUT

Essential

Singing Bird Box in rectangular aluminum case.

SOLD OUT

Mother-of-Pearl Bird Box

Item No.: 92.6963

SOLD OUT

Francastel Singing Bird

Colum style edges, various woods available.

In stock (our favorite): Bird Box in beech wood (as on picture).

Preis: 5800 CHF

Early Bird

Cube-shaped singing bird box with gently rounded edges. Front and back sides in black leather or dark brown Wenge wood. Stainless steel case, singing bird that pops up at the top as "alarm" is made of white gold. Swiss mechanical clock, running reserve 8 days.

Size: 12 x 12 x 12 cm

Price: 5600 CHF

Malachite Bird Box

Rarity/again in stock 1 piece! Stone grain with lines (different from picture).

Price 8400 CHF

Lapis Lazuli Bird Box

SOLD OUT