Music box - 1850-1900

Swiss cylinder musical clock, antique carillon with multiple melodies – 19th century – Fully functional

Magnificent antique mechanical cylinder carillon, presumably Swiss in origin,datable roughly between the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century.

The piece is housed in an elegant rectangular wooden case, its lid adorned with a refined carved floral decoration, characteristic of luxury musical boxes of the period.

Inside lies a sophisticated spring-driven musical mechanism, consisting of a long brass cylinder studded with small metal pins that, as it turns, actuate the steel sounding comb reeds, producing the various melodies.

The carillon is perfectly working and regularly reproduces several musical pieces. The exact number of melodies has not been determined.

Of particular importance is the preservation of the sound comb, which presents all teeth completely intact, without breaks or losses.

The mechanism retains its traditional construction features, with a spring-wound drive system, speed regulator and control devices.

The case shows a pleasant patina of age, with normal signs of use and wear visible in the photographs, testifying to the object's antiquity.

Main features

* Type: antique mechanical cylinder carillon
* Provenance: presumed Switzerland
* Approximate period: late 19th – early 20th century
* Case material: wood with floral inlay
* Mechanism: brass cylinder studded with pins and steel sound comb
* Power: spring-driven mechanical
* Melodies: multiple, exact number not determined
* Functionality: fully functional
* Sound comb: all teeth intact
* Length: 57 cm
* Depth: 23 cm
* Height: 15 cm

Conservation conditions

Good overall condition for its age. The carillon shows signs of time on the case and finishes, without compromising musical operation.

The mechanism is functional and the sound comb is intact.

Identified maker’s marks or signatures have not been clearly identified.

Historical considerations

Cylinder music boxes represent one of the most fascinating expressions of European mechanical music of the 19th century.

Switzerland, and in particular the Sainte-Croix region, was one of the main centers of production of these refined instruments, prized for mechanism precision and quality of musical performances.

The generous dimensions of the case, the presence of multiple melodies, the decorative inlay and the integrity of the comb make this specimen especially interesting for collectors of mechanical musical instruments, antiques and period objects.

A fascinating collectible object, still capable today of reproducing its melodies through an authentic traditional mechanical system.

The photographs are an integral part of the description and document the actual condition of the item.