A superb quality antique music box with drums, bells and castanet, made by Nicole Freres of Geneva, Switzerland in c. 1865.

The sound of this music box is particularly fine. The fully serviced musical movement features a skin drum with 8 hammer beaters, 6 rack-mounted saucer bells around a central lyre motif, and a castanet with 6 beaters. The comb and bedplate bear the Nicole Freres stamp, and the serial number 43662. 

The music box plays 6 airs – 5 operatic and 1 waltz, as detailed on the original tunesheet. 

This is all housed in a beautiful inlaid rosewood case with elaborate scrolling inlaid motifs to both the lid and the front, together with kingwood crossbanding and tulipwood stringing to the lid, front, and sides. It also has its original key. Condition of both the movement and the case is excellent.