Antique Drum, Bell and Castanet Music Box by Conchon, c. 1870
A superb quality antique orchestral music box with drum, bell and castanet made by F Conchon of Geneva, Switzerland in c. 1870.
The fully serviced movement features a gorgeous array of 6 engraved bells surmounted by colourful enamel flowerhead and musical instrument finials, and are struck by brightly coloured fine quality enamelled butterflies.
These are accompanied by a drum with 8 beaters and a castanet with 6 beaters. The bells, drum and castanet can all be disengaged and re-engaged at will using the levers at the front of the movement.
The governor also bears a distinctive maker’s mark. The music box plays 8 popular tunes including Auld Lang Syne and Robin Adair as detailed on the original tunesheet.
This marvellous musical movement is housed within a correspondingly excellent rosewood case, with a complicated double-griffin scrolling knotwork motif to the lid and a winged lion inlaid cartouche to the front.
It has an excellent sound, and is a spectacular music box.