San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1924-03-16

Gaily singing song tnGt must have
been meant for his mate, reaching the
same notes and carrying the same
melody that he sang for the first time
unknown decades ago, brilliant
Spanish canary. maze of solid gold,
with tiny feathers hammered into the
metal by hand, today perches in his
gold-wrought nest in the mysterious
center of Il jewel case whose origin
Is a secret. and whose equal today
exists only as the property OF the en-
! pcror of Japan. The case and the
singing bird, representing perhaps the
| lost art of some ancient Swiss car
! yer. IS the property in, trust of l..
braunstein. San Antonio jewoler,
whose shop is located on Commerce
| street. Mr.. BraunStein is keeping the
! precious case for the widow of the
late Pancho Villa. Luz L. de Villa.
Measuring only five inches across,
| with length scarcely larger. the myS-
4 FERROUS jewel case with its wonderful
invention of metal bird that actual
/ ly sings lifting tune from a throat
! that seems to flutter with the SINGER
| lily of the song. represents one of the
most remarkable pieces of art ever
found in the world. according to Mr..
Braunstein. While its creator is I'M
known. Mr.. Braunstein thinks that
some learned Swiss matchmaker of
perhaps a century ago, modelled the
case, which contains on every inch OF
its exterior the most exquisite and I'M
tricate kind of hand carving and etch-
ing. The music box that makes the
little bird sing and dance in its gold
nest. and every particle of the filigrec
work and mechanism of the case. were
patterned by hand. Mr.. Braunstein
says. in the days when time was not
as valuable as it is now.
Nest of Gold Twigs.
When the box is closed. there is no
sign of an opening on its heavily
carved surface. The secret box with
in. for jewels. must be unlocked By
pressing certain spot on the case.
where spring releases the door In
order 10 make the canary appear and
sing. tiny opening on the bottom
side must be wound with a small gold
key. As soon as the spring is
stretched sufficiently, a hand-painted
oval on the ton of the case flies open.
and from its nest of solid gold twigS
the brilliant-colored bird flies out and
sings.
The song Of this ancient metal
canary is one of the most remarkable
feats ever accomplished by an artist,
according TO prominent mechanicians
and jewellers who have seen the case
for themselves. To outward appear
ances. the bird is alive. Its feathers.
beaten into the gold body in perfect
smoothness. blend in exactly the life
like coloriug of the gay-colorcd birds
that are gathering this spring in trop-
ical climcs. to mate. During the sing
ing of the melody. the tiny songstcr
turns its head from side 10 side in
the piquant fashion of a saucy feath.
cred creature on its green twig in the
pleasant springtimc. Its tiny wings
flap in such a lifclike way that one
almost expects it TO dart away into
the sunshine outside, when its merry
song is done.
Gave II for a Loan.
The story attached to the case spells
tragedy. as far as il can be traced.
In the summer of 1921. Mrs. Pancho
Villa, then living in San Antonio.
went to Mr.. Braunstein for loan.
asking him to advance her SJ00 OIL
the precious case. which cost Villa
$1,000 when he purchased it in Mex
leo. The loan was made. and the case
was turned over to Mr.. Braunstein 20
keep as security until the loan could
be paid. No interest was charged. and
the case was not TO be sold unless il
was with the understanding that Mrs
Villa could redeem it as soon as she
could raise the money.
stormy times followed for the big.
reckless bandit, whom Luz Villa IS
said to have adored. Pitiful letters
came from Mexico. from Chihuahua.
from the bandits wife. The money
could not be obtained to redeem her
case. but she said that she would sell
her home rather than part with it.
Following Villas death in Mexico
wilds. Luz de Villa wrote 10 Mr..
Braunstein again. begging him not 10
disDosc of her little box. He has kept
it in his safe for her for three years.
and he will not sell it unless the own
or guarantees that Mrs. Villa may re-
deem it when she can
4 Birthday Gift.
1t seems that Mrs. Villas strange
attraction for the case is explained by
her love for Villa. who purchased L
for her as a birthday gift during his
prosperous days. As the famous lead
er was said to have differed with anil
even parted from his wife during the
latter part of his life. and as she was
always faithful TO him. according to
the way of women of her race. she
adores the case rs a part OF Villas
one-time love for her. This is the cur
rent story, which may or may not be
true.
At any rate. Villa purchased the
case from prominent Mexican fam
lily belonging to the Diaz regime. about
1915. and presented it to his wife rs
present. The other owners Of the
case are said 10 have treasured the
box for many years. as far back as
the present generation can remember.
and they parted with il only because
they were in financial straits and
needed the money it brought them.
Further than this. the history of the
little box cannot be found.
1t is supposed that the case was
smuggled into Mexico by some wealthy
European whose identity can not be
leraned. as jewelers. declare that the
box was made either in Switzerland.
Italy or France. perhaps a century
ago. At the time of its making. II
must have been worth n small for
tune, they say. because it is solil
gold in every detail and made cn-
tlrely by hand. containing in its oval
shaped protection for the birds nest
two handsome hand-painted pictures
that must have been done by one of
the early European masters. as the
type of art places its creation in
Europe. at the hands of peerless
painter.
Workmanship a Lost Art.
Mr.. BraunStein. whose experience