$10,575
Rare Bells and Automaton Cylinder Musical Box by Karrer, playing six patriotic, American and other airs, including Star Spangled Banner , accompanied by six engine-turned bells, four with bird strikers, two played by a cross-legged monkey automaton with articulated head and arms, with three musical combs and one optional percussion comb, short central lyre-form zither engraved in banner S. Karrer, Manufacturer of Musical Boxes, Teufenthal, Switzerland , in pewter-strung ebony case with tulipwood banding, ormolu carrying handles, the lid with marine painting of a full-rigged clipper in storm, signed Capt. Elisha Jonas, 1876 , the inside lid depicting the same ship in a still harbor (possibly Newport or Goat Island), wd. 34, cylinder 19 1/2 in., (four repaired tips in percussion comb, old tip repairs in musical combs), on an ebonized table. Note: The unusual addition of a lid painting, the date of 1876, the maker's engraving on the zither, and the overall quality of the movement, suggest that this may have been a presentation box made on commission to celebrate America's centennial year.
Auctioneer:
Skinner
Date:
2007-03-24
