Singing birds in cages are very desirable and collectible. The cages are often made of gilt metal and can contain one or more birds which sing and move.Cages with more than one bird tend to be rarer. Many of them were French or Swiss.
Below are some examples and price guides of singing birds in cages including a 20th century French automaton and a gilt cage containing two singing birds.
A 20th century caged singing bird automaton
probably French, in the 19th century style
the feathered bird with beak head and tail movements mounted on a floral entwined perch, the canted domed cage with knop suspension loop, on foliate mounted conforming giltwood base and bun feet, with crank handle, 53.5cm high overall
Sold for £1,530 inc. premium at Bonham’s in 2022
Continental Automaton Singing Bird in Gilt-Metal Cage
On a giltwood stand. Height overall 12 inches, width 8 1/2 inches, depth 6 1/2 inches.
Sold for $535 (includes buyer’s premium) at Doyle in 2021
French Gilt Birdcage Automaton. The wood bottom of the cage is embossed: “Made in France.” The birds open their beaks and turn their heads along with the clear cheeping sound. The bottom of the cage is lined with green felt. 20in. h. x 11in. diam. Condition: Works not warranted, may need care. The bird models are in good/clean condition. The gilt cage is in good condition with light scratches/wear.
Sold for US$2,000 at Turner Auctions + Appraisals in 2022
A gilt-bronze double jumping and singing bird musical automaton with waterfall and timepiece in the manner of Jaquet-Droz and Leschot, Swiss, circa 1800
the octagonal cage with finely pierced and engraved cagework and enclosing two painted metal birds with automaton beaks, wings and tails and jumping between branches, to the rear is a revolving glass rod automaton simulating water cascading from a lion’s mouth, the base of the cage containing the automaton movement with chain fusee, a complex series of cams controlling the movement of the birds and their singing, the integral plinth with 1¾-inch enamel dial with regulation sector, the timepiece movement with chain fusee and verge escapement with plain three-arm balance, triggering a further two-tune musical movement with 2¼-inch cylinder and steel comb signed H Capt, the whole with stylised floral mounts, the corners with trophy mounts and the ends with roundels depicting the arts, on paw feet
38.5cm. 15¼in. high
Sold for 100,800 GBP at Sotheby’s in 2020
