7 Oct 2010
13:00 EDT
New York
Magnificent Mechanical Musical Instruments and Automata
Back to auction 18556
Magnificent Mechanical Musical Instruments and Automata
Back to auction 18556
An Orchestral Mandarin-striker interchangeable cylinder music box, by Mermod Frères,
Circa 1890, the American-market 'Ideal Orchestra' model movement, as retailed by Samuel Troll,
No. 113102,
with the five cylinders playing six airs each, massive double-spring single-barrel crank-wind motor, Jacot safety check, governor with expanding weight blades, speed regulator with butterfly-form plaque, change/repeat, tune select and start/stop to right, central 29-key organ flanking ST stamped double combs, with the six-hammer drum comb with select to the left, shared six-tooth bell and castanet comb select to the right, with each Mandarin figure painted as jesters holding plain clappers and the bells arranged horizontally in the traditional buffet style, shaped rosewood castanet, on reeded gilt cast bedplate with the organ soundboard fretted with scrolls, plain polished interior under the full bevelled glass dust-lid with stay, start/stop to right, in imposing polished rouge-mahogany case, the lid with recessed moulded panel edge and double chevron decoration on wide cleated frame, slight-canted corners, with the base featuring carved front of leaves and flower heads, framed with exaggerated double notch mark frieze, absent carved panels to sides and back whilst the frieze continues, double-stepped and moulded plinth base.
43.1/2in wide, 21in deep, the cylinder 20in, the diameter 3.1/2in
No. 113102,
with the five cylinders playing six airs each, massive double-spring single-barrel crank-wind motor, Jacot safety check, governor with expanding weight blades, speed regulator with butterfly-form plaque, change/repeat, tune select and start/stop to right, central 29-key organ flanking ST stamped double combs, with the six-hammer drum comb with select to the left, shared six-tooth bell and castanet comb select to the right, with each Mandarin figure painted as jesters holding plain clappers and the bells arranged horizontally in the traditional buffet style, shaped rosewood castanet, on reeded gilt cast bedplate with the organ soundboard fretted with scrolls, plain polished interior under the full bevelled glass dust-lid with stay, start/stop to right, in imposing polished rouge-mahogany case, the lid with recessed moulded panel edge and double chevron decoration on wide cleated frame, slight-canted corners, with the base featuring carved front of leaves and flower heads, framed with exaggerated double notch mark frieze, absent carved panels to sides and back whilst the frieze continues, double-stepped and moulded plinth base.
43.1/2in wide, 21in deep, the cylinder 20in, the diameter 3.1/2in
Sold for
US$ 14,640
inc. premium
Footnotes
- Reference:
Encyclopedia of Automatic Musical Instruments, Q. David Bowers, 1972, pp.55, (for good detailed illustration)
The Golden Age of Automatic Musical Instruments, Arthur A. Reblitz, 2001, pp.11
Musical Boxes A History and an Appreciation, J. E. T. Clark, 1961, pp.57-60
Footnote:
Bells-in-view boxes, as they are frequently referred to, come in various formats and layouts. Some have the bells fitted vertically, most others in the 'buffet' style whereby the bells sit horizontally, with acceptable over-lap between each.
The hammers which strike such bells in these boxes also vary in style. Usually actuated from a lever found forward of the bedplate at the front of the chamber, the hammer rack once selected touches the bells and when the teeth for the hammers are plucked by the pinning on the cylinder, the tuned bells make for a distinctive accompaniment to the music box.
Here, we see that the hammers are held by 'Mandarin' figures, seated before each of the paired bells and once a hammer is raised, the head of that figure bows slightly. Each arm is independent and the metal figures are cold-painted in bright colours.
Couple this fine accompaniment with the other features which complete this orchestral music box, and one fully understands the level of quality of the music.
Category: Collectibles / Collectors General
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