Antique Burr Walnut Interchangeable Four-Cylinder Music Box by Nicole Frères

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Veneered in figured burr walnut with fine stringing borders and substantial ebonised mouldings, this large Swiss musical box rests upon … Read more Veneered in figured burr walnut with fine stringing borders and substantial ebonised mouldings, this large Swiss musical box rests upon an architectural plinth base. Cast gilt-brass drop handles with relief lion-mask backplates are mounted to both ends for transport, while a discreet brass escutcheon is set into the centre of the front panel. Raising the heavy, polished main lid reveals an internal glazed transition lid, framed in matching ebonised timber and supported by a stay mechanism. This secondary dust cover protects the delicate running works while allowing uninterrupted viewing of the pinned cylinder and vibrating teeth during operation. The clockwork movement is engineered around interchangeable brass cylinders measuring 28.5 cm (11.25 inches) in length, resting securely in U-shaped slotted supports upon the heavy cast-iron bedplate. Pinning drives a full-length, single-piece steel comb with all teeth intact, complemented by a swivelling zither bar attachment mounted over the comb to impart an alternative acoustic quality. An internal ratchet lever on the left winds the spring motor, accompanied by a polished control lever engraved 'Nicole Freres Est 1815 Geneva' that governs the stop and play functions. To the right sits the repeat and change selector lever, while a decorative tune counter incorporating an ornate gilt lyre motif sits behind the cylinder. Accompanying the main instrument is its original fitted mahogany chest, constructed with internal wooden cradles to store the three companion cylinders securely alongside their winding pinions when removed from the arbor. Nicole Frères developed this sophisticated interchangeable design in Switzerland during the late nineteenth century, and the bedplate is stamped with the production serial number 52729. A distinctive manufacturer label is also preserved on the inner timber rail behind the mechanism, identifying the firm's Genevan origins and heritage. In terms of proportions, the primary musical box measures 84.5 cm in width, 33 cm in depth, and 23.5 cm in height. The separate cylinder storage chest measures 49.5 cm wide, 32 cm deep, and 10.5 cm high. The spring-driven mechanism is reported to run and play smoothly across its pinned arrangements, providing a complete four-cylinder interchangeable ensemble preserved with its dedicated companion cylinder container. See less