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Silver-Gilt Musical Snuff Box by François Nicole

$22,850
£17,547.82
€20,109.58
CA$32,167.16
A$36,034.32
CHF 18,777.17
MX$439,544.38
NOK 238,614.74
SEK 224,996.69
DKK 150,092.42

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

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