Silver bird boxes are exquisite collectibles. They are small musical boxes which have singing birds in them. Although they are normally rectangular in shape, they can also be found in novelty shapes such as pianos or bird cages.
Below are some examples and price guides of silver bird boxes including a German box by J D Schleissner and Sohne and a piano shaped bird box.
A German silver singing bird box with key
J D Schleissner and Sohne, Hanau, stamped 930
In the manner of Karl Griesbaum, shaped-rectangular form, the top with oval hinged cover opening to a singing bird automaton, ornate case decorated in relief with scrolls and birds, catch to the front in the form of a bird, with key, length 10cm.
Sold for£1,912.50 inc. premium at Bonham’s in 2023
AN AUSTRIAN ENAMELLED SILVER-GILT MUSICAL BIRD BOX
VIENNA, CIRCA 1880
In the Japonist style, rectangular on four ball feet, enamelled with a white and pale green background framed by silver-gilt borders chased with geometrical motifs, the front panel enamelled with a mother and child, the right side and back panels sparesly decorated with cherry blossoms, the left side with a pagoda and a cherry blossom tree with a branch extending on the cover centred by a hinged oval lid painted with a bird resting on the branch, opening to reveal the singing bird and an engraved grill, activated by the push button fitted on the cover, the bird rotates on its axis in time to a realistically imitated bird song and retreat inside the box when the song has finished and the lid will close, with brass key, marked underneath and stamped underneath ‘Made in Austria, Sterling’
3 7/8 in. (100 mm.) long
Sold for GBP 9,375 at Christie’s in 2021
German Sterling Silver Singing Bird Box
20th Century
Shaped rectangular decorated with birds and foliate scrolls. Length 3 7/8 inches (10 cm).
Sold for $2,016 (includes buyer’s premium) at Doyle in 2023
GERMAN 925 STERLING SILVER SINGING BIRD BOX CIRCA 1900 WITH CHERUBS
Composition: Sterling Silver
Sold for US$20,000 at Mynt Auctions in 2023
A LOVELY ANTIQUE SINGING BIRD SILVER AUTOMATON SINGING BIRD BOX decorated with putti and figures. 521 grams. 10 cm x 8 cm.
Sold for £1,100 at Hannam’s Auctioneers Ltd in 2023
