English Surgeon's Amputation Kit

This handsome English jockey scale comes from Pooly & Son of Liverpool, one of the leading manufacturers of weighing machines in the 19th century. These ingenious scales were used at...

One of the most amazing timepieces we have ever acquired that offers far more than meets the eye, this incredible work of art blends the beauty of a painting with the mechanical complexities of both a cylinder music box and an automaton. While it is clear to see the integrated clock residing within the arched giltwood and gesso frame, when activated, this painting quite literally comes alive. As the cylinder mechanism within plays its lovely tune, every character in the farrier's shop becomes animated – from the group of farrier's toiling away at the forge and anvil forming the horseshoes, to the wagging of the charming terrier's tale. This musical automaton picture clock is attributed to Xavier Tharin of Paris who was the preeminent creator of this fantastical "moving pictures", especially this particular farrier scene. His process mixed oil painting and hand-colored lithograph images that were layered starting from the back, middle and foreground to craft the complex series of movements throughout the painting. A look inside this particular work reveals the complex mechanism (with the three gongs, pendulum and cylinder components immediately visible) which must run the timepiece, the cylinder musical component plus the multitude of moving elements in the painting...a truly incredible feat considering the technical prowess to create just one of these devices. Musical picture clocks...

Tiny dancers twirl to the melodious tunes produced by this Swiss station cylinder music box. The cylinder is joined by a drum and bells that give richness and depth to the wonderful music the box creates. Music boxes were at the height of fashion in the late 19th century and served as a status symbol for the European gentry. Switzerland was the birthplace of cylinder music boxes and home to the great majority of the most renowned manufacturers. This example, in its finely crafted English walnut case, boasts two combs, allowing the box to play in harmony for a richer, more complex song. This particular style, commonly referred to as a “station” or “showcase” box, was used to entertain guests in hotel lobbies, train stations and other similar public places, and as such would have been coin-operated. This example, however, does not accept coins. This, combined with its overall quality, complexity and beauty, indicates it was made for a private household of significant means. Today, these ingenious musical masterpieces are highly sought-after by collectors of musical automata...

An extraordinary and rare coin-operated Regina Sublima upright music box crafted by the Regina music box company, one of the most recognized music bo...

This incredible Hupfeld Phonoliszt-Violina Model B music cabinet is among the rarest and most advanced automatic music players of its time. The remarkable machine, crafted by renowned Leipzig firm of Ludwig Hupfeld, is one of the most mechanically complex music players ever made, boasting three self-playing violins accompanied by a self-playing piano. Once made in the 1000s to entertain patrons of upscale hotels, restaurants, and cafes, these extraordinary machines...

This exceptionally wonderful and rare automaton cylinder musical box by the Mermod Fréres firm of Sainte-Croix, Switzerland is a marvel of musical crafts...

Marine Surgeon's Box" Louis MATHIEU 1816-1879 Navy Surgeon's Box with two superimposed trays presenting the different instruments (including saw, scalpels, trepanning tools, box...

Boyesen's Monkey Repair Kit (Height 20 cm). For old and recent editions. EU shipping €3.00

The Surgeon and the Photographer by Geoffrey Farmer. Vancouver Art Gallery, Vancouver, 2015. First Edition hardcover, no dust jacket as issued. Publish...

19th century dental tool kit A rare set of 19th century dental tool kit, all tools are encased in a wooden box with brass latch and lined with a worn red...

Kit Harington’s big break was as Jon Snow in hit TV series Game of Thrones – a role for which he has received numerous rewards. The final series is due t...

Sinar p 4x5 expert kit containing: Sinar copal f5.6 auto aperture shutter & release cable Sinar p 4x5 camera Regular bellows Wide angle bellows 4x5 ground film holder with fresn...