A rare and important Swiss cylinder music box by the renowned Geneva firm of Nicole Freres. The 12-air mechanism is encased in fine rosewood detailed with beautiful marquetry. Unlike most cylinders, the space between the teeth in this example is quite small, allowing for more teeth (which equates to notes) to be passed through the comb and played. This feature adds greatly to the quality and complexity of the music played on this elegant device. Such advances in music boxes have solidified Nicole Freres’ reputation as the finest maker of music boxes of the period.

This cylinder music box features a triple signed bedplate and tune list affixed to the lid of the case. Model number 39567.

Circa 1860

François N