Their sale of August 14 included this very fine Swiss silver-gilt and enamel rectangular singing bird automaton musical box by celebrated Geneva maker Charles Bruguier (1788-1862).
The enamel decoration included a view of an alpine landscape to the cover and a further four circular enamelled vignettes of alpine flowers set within white and black enamelled borders to the interior.
Measuring 33/4in (9.5cm) across, it was offered in its original red morocco leather case complete with a key to wind the fusee movement working the bellows and the mechanism that causes the bird to 'dance'.
Sold by a private North Kent collector who had bought it relatively recently from a dealer, and estimated at £4500-6000, it sold at £19,000 (plus 15% buyer's premium) to a Russian buyer against underbidding from the UK trade.
