A superb quality interchangeable orchestral music box made by the prestigious firm of Nicole Freres of Geneva, Switzerland in c. 1875.

The music box features 6 numbered cylinder housed in a drawer in the original accompanying table, each of which plays 6 tunes with a bright and jolly sound. The musical movement features a drum, 6 bells and a castanet, all of which can be engaged and disengaged at will using the levers at the front of the combs.

The principal comb is stamped ‘Nicole Freres’, as is both the bedplate and the governor shield. The bedplate is also stamped with the serial number ‘45149’ which also appears on the original tunesheet.

The cylinders play a collection of popular and operatic airs, quadrilles and dancing music, and one of them is even dedicated to National Anthems.

The musical movement and all cylinders have been recently serviced and are in excellent condition.

The case is beautiful refined, veneered in walnut with ebony inlay and ebonised turned legs. Note there are some small areas of loss and repair to the table as shown in the images, but all minor and perfectly permissible in a fully original example of this age and quality.

It is a beautiful example of a Nicole Freres orchestral interchangeable music box.