Antique 6 Bell Music Box with Dancing Dolls by Alfred Junod, c. 1885
A lovely sounding and impressive antique music box with 6 bells and 2 dancing dolls made by Alfred Junod of St Croix, Switzerlandi n c. 1885.
The fully serviced movements features six engraved bells struck by swallow strikers, along with two original bisque porcelain dancing dolls in the centre who move with the music. The clothes and hair are original on both dolls.
The bells can be engaged and disengaged at will, and the movement also features a tune indicator which, when read together with the original tunesheet, indicates which of the 8 tunes is playing.
The selection of tunes include The Mikado and The Bells of Corneville, all playing with a bright and beautiful sound.
This is housed within a case that has been reveneered in lush burr walnut, with tulipwood inlays and boxwood stringing to the lid, front, and sides, all sitting on top of an ebonised plinth to give the music box excellent presence.
