Nightingale Tree

Height 35 cm. Commission for HG's Carriage of Curiosities.
First described in 1723 by western travellers visiting the Moroccan court, the Nightingale Tree used to entertain the sultans with its beautiful singing voice. In its hayday it directed a 30 piece orchestra but it fell silent in 1860; coincidentally the year of the first sound recording. However, every full moon it can still be heard humming a little tune.