207,000 HKD
Frères Nicole, Geneva, No. 11556, circa 1840. Very fine large silver gilt musical snuffbox decorated with painting on canvas, playing three tunes. Accompanied by leather fitted box. Three-body, rectangular, the hinged lid revealing a compartment decorated with a landscape painted oncanvas with protective glass, bezel chased in floral and foliate pattern, engine-turned side panels and base, right panel with a melody switch, activating button in the front. 96 x 55 mm, pinned cylinder type with a comb of 74 tuned vibrating blades, two-arm fly worm-gear governor, tune-changing by means of a cam acting directly on a spring-loaded cylinder.Signed on the comb in typical Nicole manner.Dim. 115 x 92 x 40 mm. Notes Such large musical snuffboxes were rare at the time; equally rare is the painted on canvas decoration.
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2004-06-06
