Silver Ships

Length: 24.5 cm, width: 7.5 cm, height: 26cm. Qing Dynasty

The bigger ship in the middle of traditional style is decorated with kylin and flowing cloud patterns. There are wheels on the bottom, and a spring at the stern. After winding up, the ship can run on the ground.

Gilded Square Singing Bird Music Box

Length: 41 cm, width: 30 cm, height: 71cm. Made in France during 19th century

This singing bird box was produced in France. The gilt copper birdcage sits on a wooden base that is carved with floral designs. A couple of little birds with bright-colored feathers are standing on a tree branch in full bloom in a landscape.

It is a technological marvel, with extremely intricate internal movements that produce the incredible realistic sound of real singing birds combined with the chirping and fluttering movements of a life-like mechanical bird clad in real feathers. On sliding the operating lever, the full-bodied birds begin singing, butterflies flap their wings as if to fly, and the stream babbles among rocks.