115,000 HKD
Geneva, No. 109, circa 1825. Very fine and rare 18K gold and enamel musical box with large number of grasshopper-shaped vibrating blades. Accompanied by original morocco fitted box. Three-body, rectangular with oval cross-section, engine-turned center, borders with black champlevé enamel forming floral and foliate design on matte gold background, side panels en suite, hinged engine-turned lid revealing a compartment, music activated by a small knob on the right side. Oval, 45 x 17 mm, brass full-plate, pinned barrel with an unusual numbers of pins, 34 tuned vibrating grasshopper-shaped blades in two stacks, pinion governor pivoted in eccentric socket for tempo adjustment.Punched with maker’s mark “H.N.” on the edge of the lid, movement scratched “Fs. Nicole a Genève fecit”.Dim. 80 x 45 x 20 mm.
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2004-06-06
