Bonhams 1793 : A fine and early Karalain birch and tortoiseshell musical snuffbox, most probably by H. Capt, circa 1818,

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14 Nov 2012 13:00 GMT London, Knightsbridge
Mechanical Music
Back to auction 19799

A fine and early Karalain birch and tortoiseshell musical snuffbox, most probably by H. Capt,

circa 1818,
Ser. No. 196,
the sur-plateau movement playing two airs, with the suspended disc rising to play the first air on 21 single teeth and lowering to the undertier set of 22 single teeth, double fin governor with the early geared run-down escapement, on plain brass bedplate, fitted within rectangular Karalain birch case with shaped front and back profiles, the lid with ridged front lift bearing petit hexagonal mother-of-pearl cartouche, opening to reveal full size smoked horn movement window and underbelly-cut tortoiseshell veneered interior, the sides with further tortoiseshell edge terminals, start/stop and change/repeat controls to front, with a key - 3.1/2in. (9cm) wide

Sold for £6,000 inc. premium