Jewellery experts Kate Bliss and Helen Smith have been bowled over by an item that brings nature to life in beautifully ornate form.
The most fascinating find at Kate’s free valuation event at Etwall Auction Centre in July was a late 19th century German, gilt-metal singing bird box.
It comes complete with key to turn a mechanism in the box which sparks the arrival of a singing bird. It pops up from an oval opening on the top of the box, sings its heart out while fluttering from side to side, then promptly vanishes back inside.
The elegant rectangular object has rococo scrollwork while the bird boasts coloured plumage and an ivory beak. Objects like this have sold for in excess of £1,000 at auction. It enters our September 24-25 Derbyshire Fine Art Auction which includes jewellery, silver and watches.
More entries are invited and Kate Bliss will be offering free valuations at Etwall Auction Centre, Heage Lane, DE65 6LS, on Wednesday August 19, 10am-3pm. She will also be at Bishton Hall, Wolseley Bridge, Staffs, ST17 0XN, on Thursday, August 20, 10am-3pm. Our head of jewellery Helen Smith is available for free jewellery valuations at Etwall Auction Centre on weekdays, except Tuesdays, 9am-5pm, or email: [email protected].
