Antique 19th Century Cylinder Music Box from Lecoultre Frères of Geneva, Switzerland, 1880s

Details

Description

Antique 19th Century Swiss music box crafted in the form of a desk table. It comes with six interchangeable cylindrical … Read more Antique 19th Century Swiss music box crafted in the form of a desk table. It comes with six interchangeable cylindrical discs, each playing a different tune. The piece was made by LeCoultre Frères of Geneva, Switzerland, a distinguished maker of high-quality cylinder music boxes active between 1812 and 1885. The firm belonged to the celebrated LeCoultre family, renowned for both musical boxes and watchmaking, a legacy that continues today under the name Jaeger-LeCoultre. This example dates to around 1880.

Operation is simple: pull the lever upwards on the left-hand side twice and return it to its resting position. Ensure the disc is secured by the two brass locking clips, then push the lever on the lower right upwards to start the music. If left in the upward position, the melody will repeat; for a single play, switch the lever off once the tune begins.

An exceptional feature of this piece is the fitted desk, which conceals five further discs within two lockable drawers. The original instruction document detailing how to change the discs is preserved, together with the original pair of keys.

Provenance: This music box was originally purchased at Dowell’s Auctioneers of Edinburgh, now part of Lyon & Turnbull, when it was offered among the surplus contents of Dalkeith Palace, the historic seat associated with the Dukes of Buccleuch and their heirs, who traditionally bear the courtesy title Earl of Dalkeith.

Dalkeith Palace has been closely connected with the Buccleuch family since the 17th century. The present palace was commissioned in the early 18th century by Anne Scott, Duchess of Buccleuch, and for generations formed one of the family’s principal residences. The title Earl of Dalkeith has traditionally been used by the eldest son and heir apparent of the Duke of Buccleuch, further linking the title with the house and estate.

The music box was purchased at the Dowell’s sale by James Anthony Stodart, later Baron Stodart of Leaston. Following his death, and as he left no children, the piece was acquired from his executors in 2003, providing a continuous line of distinguished Scottish provenance from Dalkeith Palace through the Stodart collection to the present ownership.‍ ‍

CONDITION
In Great Condition - Wear expected with age. Please refer to photographs.

SIZE
Height: 98 cm // 38.58 inches
Width: 107 cm // 42.13 inches
Depth: 65 cm // 25.59 inches This piece has an attribution mark,
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