Antique Full Orchestral Music Box by Paillard, c. 1880
A scarce full orchestral antique music box made by Paillard of St Croix in Switzerland in c. 1880.
The movement features 6 engraved bells struck by a combination of bird and butterfly strikers, together with a drum with 8 beaters, a castanet with 6 beaters, and an 18-note reed organ.
It plays 7 mainly operatic tunes including ‘The Wedding March’ and Bizet’s ‘Carmen’, with the unusual feature that the first tune plays twice.
The movement has been recently fully serviced and has four expertly replaced teeth as well as a new skin on the drum, and is thus in very good condition.
This is all housed in rosewood veneered case with beautiful inlays to the lid and front, together with tulipwood stringing to the top, front and sides.
It also has good quality gilt carrying handles.