Karl Griesbaum. The Griesbaum firm for more than half a century dominated among the companies that produced snuffboxes with singing birds. Its production capacity exceeded the production capacity of all other firms combined.
The Griesbaum firm was founded in 1905 in the city of Triberg, Schwarz Wald (The Black Forest), Germany. Its founder Karl Griesbaum was born in 1872 in the family of Mathias Griesbaum, a clockmaker. Schwarz Wald was traditionally home to cuckoos lodged in charming, hand-carved wooden clocks. Those clocks were very popular among the locals, as well as among the tourists. Reference: Museum Collection
Karl Griesbaum Maker’s Mark – Bird with KG stamp
KARL GRIESBAUM | A GILT AND PAINTED METAL SINGING BIRD CAGE, CIRCA 1950
Polished brass bird cage containing the singing bird, realistically covered in multicoloured plumage, the bird rotating on its axis, flapping its wings, turning the head and opening its beak, the green painted base housing the mechanical movement, fixed winding key in the base, signed and stamped K.G.
Height: 30cm
Sold for HK$7,012.50 inc. premium at Bonham’s in 2021
