- DeptCollections, Decorative Arts
- SizeHeight 16 in. Width 17 ¾ in. Depth 9 ½ in.
Louis XVI Ormolu-mounted Tortoiseshell, Parquetry and Ebonized Wood Music Box, circa 1785, the mechanical musical instrument was created to support a clock or timepiece; mounted atop it, music was set in play by means of a trip linkage. The movement plays eight melodies on a 17-key organ that employs stopped pewter pipes; a tune change and repeat control manually activates the organ at will. A hand-wound double fuse spring drives the movement. The cabinet case is of black oak with parquetry top, tortoiseshell and ebonized veneer sides applied with faux alabaster colonnettes; front, sides and back feature hinged drop panels that provide access to controls as well as allowing spectators to watch the movement in action. The musical movement with pinned wooden cylinder is of French/Swiss type and though unmarked as to maker, is similar to those attributed to J. Robert et Fils of La Chanx de Fonds, Switzerland. Several inscriptions made by repairers include a “Batley” in 1804, and an “A. Kieser, fevrier” 1907, Paris. This clock organ was conserved by Jere Ryder in 2016.
Height 16 in. Width 17 ¾ in. Depth 9 ½ in.
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