Jade and Silver Singing Bird Box Mantel Clock

Jade and Silver Singing Bird Box Mantle Clock This enchanting objet d'art masterfully blends artistic beauty with mechanical ingenuity, featuring a clock, a singing bird box and a delicate sculpture. Carved from solid jade and adorned with sterling silver repoussé, it exemplifies the pinnacle of both horology and decorative arts. The silver-clad young woman holds a bird, crafted from natural hummingbird feathers, perched on a branch. With the press of a button, the bird sings, and the figure gently nods, as though humming along, all in front of a silver birdbath adorned with charming putti. The clock features a striking enamel dial, framed by intricate silver foliate designs and marked by elegant Arabic numerals. Mechanical singing bird boxes, known as tabatières in France, originated in the 1780s, delighting the European elite as symbols of sophistication. These boxes reflect humanity’s age-old fascination with birds, creatures that have long represented the soul and spirit, bridging earthly pleasures and divine mysteries. Today, they continue to captivate collectors, admired for their exquisite craftsmanship and historical significance. 20 1/4" high x 8" wide x 8" deep