Voliere de la Cour Gilt
Singing birds, also known as “bird automata”, made their debut in European society salons in the second half of the 18th century. Especially prized at court, such lifelike birds would dazzle and baffle the aristocracy from their gilded cage with the melodies they had been ‘taught’ to sing.
Listen closely—two birds sing and chatter, evoking echoes of old-world salons, their gilded abode shimmering with history.
Description
Two birds awaken and sing from a gilded cage, brought to life at the whim of the observer. Rooted in the tradition of the “volière de la cour”, the aviary of the French royal court in a bygone era, each winged automaton displays a unique personality through its vibrant, colorful plumage. Their animated beaks, heads, and tails move in a strikingly lifelike performance, blending artistry with realism. As one of the oldest forms of mechanical art, these singing birds continue to fascinate and enchant across generations.
Technical Features
General information
- Automaton movement with two singing birds
- Dimensions: 16.5 cm × 16.5 cm × 32 cm (6 1/2” × 6 1/2” × 12 5/8”)
- Weight: 1.9 kg (4.2 lbs)
Movement
- Composed of more than 250 parts, assembled by hand in our workshops in Sainte-Croix, Switzerland
- Running reserve: approximately 14 minutes for intermittent bird song and 2 minutes for continuous bird song
Materials
- Genuine bird feathers
- Gilded cage
- Guilloché base
CHF 9,500