Details
A snuff box by F.Nicole,
playing three airs including God Save the King, with single-piece comb numbered on the front 337, elaborate tune-change mechanism and mottled tortoiseshell case with reeded lid --3½ in. (9 cm.) wide, circa 1825 (lid broken at hinge)
playing three airs including God Save the King, with single-piece comb numbered on the front 337, elaborate tune-change mechanism and mottled tortoiseshell case with reeded lid --3½ in. (9 cm.) wide, circa 1825 (lid broken at hinge)
Further details
See front illustration
The tune-change mechanism incorporates a lobed cam to move the detent, revolved by a star-wheel operated by a sprung lever, in turn depressed by sliding the button on the front of the case. A similar mechanism, using a pin-wheel in place of the star-wheel and with a simpler operating lever, was sold in these rooms, December 9 1993, lot 129. It had been previously discussed in The Music Box, Vol 14, No. 3 (1989), pp71-2.
The tune-change mechanism incorporates a lobed cam to move the detent, revolved by a star-wheel operated by a sprung lever, in turn depressed by sliding the button on the front of the case. A similar mechanism, using a pin-wheel in place of the star-wheel and with a simpler operating lever, was sold in these rooms, December 9 1993, lot 129. It had been previously discussed in The Music Box, Vol 14, No. 3 (1989), pp71-2.