This exceptional Swiss silver-gilt musical snuff box was crafted by the famed François Nicole. At first glance, the diminutive piece appears to simply be an exquisite 19th-century snuff box, with Neoclassical-style chased and engraved borders of foliage and flowering thistles. A quick wind of the key, however, reveals the complex mechanism hidden inside. The musical movement plays two airs with a fine single-piece comb of 61 teeth. The movement is in exceptional condition, complete with its original key.
Once known as
carillons à musique, musical snuff boxes were once considered status symbols amongst the wealthy elite. A step above the traditional snuff box, musical boxes helped to influence the development and popularity of all music box production in the 19th century.
Comb stamped "F. NICOLE"
Circa 1820
3 7/16" wide x 2 1/8" deep x 1" high
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