Douglas Fisher - Vintage enamel and gilt metal grand piano musical box

Vintage enamel and gilt metal grand piano musical box

A highly decorative vintage enamel and gilt metal grand piano musical box,

Viennese

mid-20th century

A kaleidoscope of colour set to music...

When wound with captive key and the keyboard lid opened, the first of two popular waltz airs rings out from concealed two-per-turn Swiss cylinder movement, coming to a stop at the end of the air which is playing. Opening main shaped lid reveals petit compartment for your precious jewellery.

The frame of finely toned gilt metal, with part pierced edges to all enamel borders, larger areas to keyboard lid and instrument body inside main lid with superb detailed tooled ground of maple leaf clusters and berries on wave line ground, all setting off the extraordinary detailed and generous use of colour of the Viennese enamels, with the main lid having shaped, domed and double sided studies; the top with six figures in lavish gowns dancing within a woodland clearing, the reverse with two musicians on guitar and flute following the score held in a lady's hand under autumnal leaved forest.

The soundboard panel of floral wreath flanked by flying blue ribbons, keyboard lid top with oboe on score group, the entire shaped instrument body with a continuous enamel panel with four putti frolicking with poetry, music, flowers and a pair of turtle doves, finishing with the three conical-form legs with tricolour enamel, gilt ball terminals, lyre-form pedal rack and plain underside.

The interior with red velvet lining, hinged lid prop in gilt metal.

size - 3.1/2in. wide, 5.1/2in. deep, 3.1/2in. high with lid closed, 5.3/4in. high when open - (9 x 14 x 9 x 14.5cm)

Point of Interest -

Another opportunity to take a good look at a real piece of Viennese magic at Douglas Fisher.

Enamel studies do not have to be flat in shape, as this piano demonstrates wonderfully with the entire instrument side being one continuous band. The artist's palette was fully stocked. The colours are vibrant. The relationship between figures and objects in the studies half-incidental, yet not of the purely naïve school so often seen on the lesser examples.

The gilt metal, rich and fine, with detail every bit as fine to the eye as under closer scrutiny using a loupe.

This super example is ready and waiting for you...