Singing-bird box, c.1840 (gold, diamonds & enamel)

ruguier. A fine and rare 18K gold and diamond-set singing bird box with enamel miniature signed Prochet Signed Charles Bruguier à Genève, No. 221, circa 1840 The brass movement with chain fusée, stacked cams, fly regulator and rectangular bellow, entirely engine-turned and engraved foliage decorated rectangular box, the sides with "taille-douce" engraved classical landscapes, the cover with chased and engraved acanthus and foliage and black and turquoise-blue champlevé enamel scroll decoration, the black enamel bezel set with a rose-cut diamond ring, a slide to the front opening the hinged oval cover decorated with a painted polychrome enamel miniature signed "Prochet", depicting putti, a dove and flowers, opening to reveal a finely pierced and engraved scroll decorated grille and to release the colourfully plumed bird, rotating on its axis, chirping, flapping its wings, wagging its tail, turning its head and opening its beak; hinged key compartment to the back, movement stamped C. Bruguier à Genève 221, case inside with hand-scratched number 221 and inscription "Charles Bruguier au Grand Près 518 à Genève fait et réparé toute pièces mécaniques", furthermore inscribed "G.J. Jaccard 298 Broadway N.Y."