Cylinder music box - Switzerland - 1850-1900

Ancient mechanical music box – Marqueted wooden case with illustrated decoration – 19th century

Elegant antique mechanical music box, presented in a wooden case with clean lines and a contrasting black interior.

The lid reveals a beautiful polychrome decorative illustration depicting an allegorical scene surrounded by botanical motifs, ribbons, and references to several classical composers. In the center is a list entitled “Six Airs,” mentioning in particular operatic works and famous arias. This decoration gives the object a particularly refined charm and testifies to the care given to its presentation.

The case houses a cylinder-based mechanical musical mechanism, visible under its glass-protected cap, as well as its side control elements. No key.

Operating condition: the music box is functional and plays music correctly. However, the melody-change lever does not seem to reach the end of its travel. Its full operation could not be confirmed.