A rare alternate-tip musical box

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Details

A rare alternate-tip musical box
playing ten airs accompanied by nine bells, drum and castanets, the four combs with alternate tips (including the percussion sections), in rosewood case with red interior, inlaid front and lid -- the cylinder 21 1/8in. (54cm.) x 2 5/8in. (6.7cm.), (approximately two tips off in bass comb, three replacement teeth and five broken teeth in right-hand comb, case in need of restoration)

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis

Lot Essay

An early visible drum and bells movement, the comb includes the unusual feature of alternate tips even in the percussion combs. The bells and castanets (both optional) have separate combs, while the extreme (non-musical) bass teeth operate the optional drum.

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