Interchangeable Cylinder Music Box By George Baker & Company
This enchanting interchangeable cylinder music box was crafted by the esteemed George Baker & Company of Geneva, Switzerland. This rare musical machine comes with six interchangeable cylinders, each playing eight tunes culminating in an astounding selection of 48 tunes total. Each tune is composed with a melodious harmonique piccolo arrangement.
All the cylinders reside inside the original table with drawers specially designed to house each cylinder safely. On the inside lid survives the original tune card. Period artwork and the maker’s letterhead adorn the beautiful card, listing every tune for each cylinder. Finally, the instrument rests within a rich burl amboyna case adorned with ebony trim and marquetry ornamentation on the lid.
Music boxes were not only at the forefront of technological advancement in their day but among the most distinguished luxuries to own. Due to the extremely difficult and cost-prohibitive endeavor of producing cylinders, only a rare number feature interchangeability. These marvels of musical and mechanical achievement are amongst the rarest and most desirable music boxes surviving today.
37″ High x 43″ Wide x 22″ Deep
Box Only: 8-1/2″ High x 34″ Wide x 13″ Deep
Circa 1885