Two-Tune Musical Automaton Singing Bird Clock

An exquisite example of automata and music in a delightful case. The delicately pierced and intricate scrollwork octagonal birdcage contains dual brightly colored birds, and a simulated waterfall comprised of revolving glass rods. The birds flap their wings, swivel, open and close their beaks while seemingly flying from one perch to the other. The dial is signed, Courvoisier & Compe, No. 11359, and is fitted with levers for silent/music; automata on the hour; continuous music only at will, and tune selection.

Only seven musical bird cages by Courvoisier & Compe are known, and only two are signed. Although none of the pieces are identical, each shares characteristics that help attribute them to this maker. They were made between 1820–1835. A particular specialty of Courvoisier is the use of a fusee chain to drive the bird motion, unlike their contemporaries who used silk thread, such Jaquet-Droz.

The illustrious firm of Courvoisier & Compe registered in 1811 in the Swiss region of La Chaux-de-Fonds, a center of the finest automata and musical timepieces. The firm's roots go back much further and the Louis Courvoisier family is known as one of the oldest in the horological industry working in La-Chaux-de-Fonds.