Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 7

Silver-Gilt Musical Snuff Box by François Nicole

About the Item

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 Measures: 3 7/16" wide x 2 1/8" deep x 1" high.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 1 in (2.54 cm)Width: 3.44 in (8.74 cm)Depth: 2.13 in (5.42 cm)
  • Style:
    Neoclassical (In the Style Of)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    circa 1820
  • Condition:
  • Seller Location:
    New Orleans, LA
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: 30-78991stDibs: LU891130654212

More From This Seller

View All
Swiss Gold Musical Snuff Box
Located in New Orleans, LA
This special and important Swiss gold music box is chased and engraved with a set of musical instruments surrounded by elaborate swirls of ornate foliage. Embossed with a delightful braided gold design, the two-compartment box features an exquisite oval agate key, which opens a recessed lock in the base of the box. Such a box would have been a prized possession and would have been able to fit neatly into a gentleman’s waistcoat pocket. Ingenious miniature portable devices, musical snuff boxes...
Category

Antique 19th Century Swiss Other Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Gold

Swiss Enamel And Gold Musical Snuff Box
Located in New Orleans, LA
This exceptional 19th-century gold box appears at first glance be an exquisite snuff box adorned with a charming Swiss enamel vista encircled by a multitude of natural pearls. A quick wind of the key, however, reveals the complex mechanism hidden inside, and the box plays a wistful tune. Once known as carillons à musique...
Category

Antique 19th Century Swiss Other Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Gold, Enamel

Micromosaic Snuff Box
Located in New Orleans, LA
This exceptional micromosaic snuff box represents the heights of this ancient art form. Depicting four doves sitting atop a bronze dish, the inse...
Category

Antique 19th Century Neoclassical Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Bronze

German Porcelain Snuff Box
Located in New Orleans, LA
This important German porcelain snuff box exhibits delightful artistry and craftsmanship. Hand painted classical tableau celebrating the e...
Category

Antique 18th Century German Neoclassical Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Porcelain

Erotic Snuff Box
Located in New Orleans, LA
A scintillating Sapphic scene adorns the cover of this rare erotic snuff box. Set into the top of this burlwood and tortoiseshell container, this high...
Category

Antique 19th Century European Other Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Tortoise Shell, Glass

Russian Silver, Gold And Niello Topographical Snuff Box
Located in New Orleans, LA
This silver, gold and niello inlaid topographical snuffbox is a masterpiece of Russian silver. Almost owned by a wealthy 19th-century tradesman, this extraordinary creation shares a ...
Category

Antique 19th Century Russian Other Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Gold, Silver

You May Also Like

Cylinder Musical Box by Nicole Freres (Geneva)
Located in Zonhoven, BE
Early Fad Cylinder music box made in Geneva by Nicole Freres. This is a good example of those early music boxes. The mechanisme has a fad cylinder and plays 8 tunes in a 2 per turn...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Swiss Early Victorian Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass, Iron, Steel

Very Early 19th Century Engine Turned Silver Gilt Musical Snuff Box
Located in London, GB
A very early 19th century and fine engine turned silver gilt musical snuffbox. The case stamped F.M. and with early 19th century Swiss export marks and European import marks. Comb bar stamped C.Z bedplate C6. Serial number 147. The cylinder movement with three train weighted escape, 23 part sectional comb with all teeth in pairs, comb bar and fitting screws blued, engraved in script in bedplate verso- 'Jn. Pre. Desire, A Geneva, fecit, an 1813'. Playing a complex single air, in the small superbly engine tooled case...
Category

Antique 1810s Swiss Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Silk

Continental Niello and Silver Gilt Snuff Box, Early 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
No apparent hallmarks. The diaper pattern filled with small crosses throughout and the opening with a slight lip.
Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Neoclassical Snuff Boxes and Tobacco B...

Materials

Silver

Antique Sterling Silver Gilt Table Snuff Box by Edward Farrell (1824)
By Edward Farrell
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A magnificent, fine and impressive antique George IV English sterling silver gilt table snuff box; an addition to our antique box collection. This magnificent antique George IV sterling silver gilt table snuff box has an oval rounded form. The body of this impressive antique snuff box...
Category

Antique 1820s English Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Sterling Silver

Antique George IV Sterling Silver Gilt Table Snuff Box
By John Linnit
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A magnificent, fine and impressive antique George IV English sterling silver gilt table snuff box; an addition to our antique box collection. This...
Category

Antique 1820s English Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Sterling Silver

Superb 18K gold "Sur plateau" musical snuff box purse form
Located in Zonhoven, BE
A superb gold music box, made by the craftsmen of Jean-George Remond & Co in Geneva between 1804 and 1811. The rectangular box is decorated with an exquisite, fine ornamental pattern...
Category

Antique Early 18th Century Swiss Other Decorative Boxes

Materials

Bronze, Steel, Cut Steel, Iron, Gold

Recently Viewed

View All