Disc Musical Boxes
A 19.5/8-inch Polyphon musical box movement,
circa 1900 and later, presently in an upright case made from other elements,
with double-section 'Sublime-Harmony' combs on gilt part-reeded cast bedplate, speed controls, in interesting two-part ebonised cabinet, the top half originally a bookcase, with hinged glazed front, carved pediment with mask bosses flanking falling-leaf friezes, above the matched disc bin, with later carved front of a lute player, toast-rack form holder for discs which moves forward when door is opened, with thirteen 19.5/8-inch Polyphon discs and one 24.5/8-inch Polyphon disc - 76in. (193cm) high, 36in. (91.5cm) wide
with double-section 'Sublime-Harmony' combs on gilt part-reeded cast bedplate, speed controls, in interesting two-part ebonised cabinet, the top half originally a bookcase, with hinged glazed front, carved pediment with mask bosses flanking falling-leaf friezes, above the matched disc bin, with later carved front of a lute player, toast-rack form holder for discs which moves forward when door is opened, with thirteen 19.5/8-inch Polyphon discs and one 24.5/8-inch Polyphon disc - 76in. (193cm) high, 36in. (91.5cm) wide
Sold for
£660
inc. premium
Footnotes
- Condition: C5 M3-4(ii)(iiir) D3 (bedplate cracked - reinforced with bedplate screws, leads and dampers very squeaky.)
The movement runs reasonably well, with the start/stop now fully manual.
Some 'bitzas' are very well executed, with attention to detail observed, planned and shown, few pieces even get past close scrutiny.
This example is rare, in that it flies in the face of what is original, what is seen as appropriate cabinet design through alteration and technical ability to engineer the movement. Even the holes for the wooden pegs for the bookcase are still visible and should the movement be removed and re-introduced to a correct case, the top may well be easily changed back to a library furniture item.
Category: Collectibles / Scientific Instruments
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