Swiss,

circa 1900,

SUMMER SALE PRICE £3465

An introduction in strings...

When wound and start/stop pull to underside actuated, a single musical air is heard from the tiny Reuge cylinder movement, with captive key-wind motor, single-section comb on case bedplate.

Fitted within 18-string harp case with the whole finely chased and engraved with reflecting Rococo swags, leaves, mitres and roseheads, a standing maiden atop cap-head, raised part filigree mount, rope-twist support column from acorn base, seven agate bosses each with raised scroll mounts to all sides, on circular base, with large and complex Rococo C scrolls with three small pearl clusters to top, a further three mottled green agate bosses to edge and tri-open scroll feet bridging delicate wave-trace tooled rim, start/stop pull as flowerhead to base underside.

8.3/4in. high - (22.3cm)

Point of interest -

Novelty musical boxes are not a new idea, as demonstrated here with this fabulous Swiss example from the beginning of the 1900s.  Here, the quality of fine chasing has been executed by hands used to the work of the last half of the 19th century - the golden age of chased metal. 

Going further, the use of hardstones to embellish the finished piece does, in the right light, make it glow beautifully in any setting.