A very fine silver gilt and  Imperial Yellow guilloche enamel singing bird box with timepiece, by C. A. Marguerat, with a Nightingale on the lid. The Nightingale has appeared in many thousands of poems from Homer to the twentieth century, and even in ancient times it acquired an almost formulaic meaning as the bird of spring, of night and of mourning. Later, through its link to spring and night, it also became a bird of love 

Circa 1920

We are pleased to offer this early 20th century box, please take time to look at the photos to fully apreciate the superb condition this box has managed to survive in.

When wound and start/stop slide moved to the right, the bird appears through pressed and pierced gilt grille, moving painted metal beak, wings, tailfeather and body from side-to-side to continuous birdsong. Stamped L'Equisite with a star on underside of case

4in. wide, 2.3/4in. deep, 1.5/8in. high - (10.2 x 7 x 4.2cm)

Marguerat movements run slightly quieter than other like-aged examples by other makers, principally due to the effort of using two shaped card spacers between the base of the case and the bottom plate of the movement.  This cushioning also protects against metal rub should the chassis screws work loose.