Beschreibung:

Y A SWISS TULIPWOOD BANDED 'DRUM AND BELLS IN SIGHT' AUTOMATON MUSIC BOX WITH ZITHER ATTACHMENT UNSIGNED, PROBABLY GENEVA, CIRCA 1880 Playing a choice of ten airs including 'la Marseilles' via a 13 inch pinned cylinder on a 74 tooth comb incorporating a pivoted 'zither' attachment, with additional accompaniment on six bells played in pairs by one of three seated automaton figures comprising two in Oriental dress flanking a monkey, set beside a drum struck with a rack of eight individually pivoted beaters, the cylinder mounted within a gilt painted steel bed with large ratchet-crank wound going barrel, governor, start/stop mechanism and tune indicator to the left hand end opposing tune selection shunt mechanism to the right, the leading edge with disengagement levers for the bells and drum mechanisms, set beneath a glazed hinged cover with REPEAT/CHANGE and PLAY/STOP operating levers to right hand side, the box with central mother-of-pearl and brass foliate scroll inlaid lozenge panel within line-bordered tulipwood banding to lid over conforming banded front, the sides with gilt carrying handles, on ebonised ogee moulded base with disc feet, (tune sheet lacking). 30cm (11.5ins) high, 66cm (26ins) wide, 36cm (14ins) deep. Condition Report: The mechanism has been serviced/overhauled hence is now in fully working condition with no visible losses to the comb. One drum hammer is misaligned hence is not operational - this should be relatively straightforward to rectify. The polychrome painted figures have been re-touched. The crank handle is not stamped with a serial number however the left-hand barrel pivot block (adjacent to the spring barrel) is stamped 14930. Internally the ebonised finish to the areas around the movement is somewhat heavily applied and with some wear/losses. The inside of the lid is lacking its tune sheet. The exterior is generally in good condition with faults mainly limited to degradation to the polish and wear to the ebonised finish around the base. The left-hand side has a very small (approx. 7mm) circular loss to the veneer. The key for the lid is not present. Generally a fine box with very good sound only really requiring cosmetic attention from a good furniture polisher/finisher to improve some of the finishes and adjustment of one of the drum hammers. Condition Report Disclaimer