Grand Format Piano Forte Musical Box by Nicole Frères

Description:

Grand Format Piano Forte Musical Box by Nicole Frères, no. 32030, playing four overtures (Barbier du Seville, Don Giovani, Somnambula and Prè aux Clercs),Gamme no. 1362, the brass bedplate stamped Nicole Frères a Geneve, and both combs Nicole Frères, with lever-wind, three-winged governor and silvered tune program engraved for T. Cox, Savory & Co., 54 Cornhill, London, in brass-strung rosewood veneered case with canted corners and plinth feet, inlaid to front and lid with geometric design of foliate-engraved pierced brass scrolls, flowers, mother-of-pearl, pink and pale blue enameling, wd. 29, cylinder 16 3/4 x 4 in. dia.

Note: The two combs contain approx. 240 teeth, and tunes are pinned to play for just under three minutes. The musical box dates from c. 1854, with Ferdinand Herold's Prè aux Clercs, first performed in 1832, the most contemporary overture on its program.
Estimate $15,000-20,000

case with some of the brass stringing lifting, all canted corners have shrinkage cracks, veneer loss.


The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Condition requests can be obtained via email (lot inquiry button) or by telephone to the appropriate gallery location (Boston/617.350.5400 or Marlborough/508.970.3000). Any condition statement given, as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Skinner Inc. shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.

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