Rare Bells and Automaton Cylinder Musical Box by Karrer, playing six patriotic, American and other airs, including Star Spangled Banner, accompanied by six engine-turned bells, four with bird strikers, two played by a cross-legged monkey automaton with articulated head and arms, with three musical combs and one optional percussion comb, short central lyre-form zither engraved in banner S. Karrer, Manufacturer of Musical Boxes, Teufenthal, Switzerland, in pewter-strung ebony case with tulipwood banding, ormolu carrying handles, the lid with marine painting of a full-rigged clipper in storm, signed Capt. Elisha Jonas, 1876, the inside lid depicting the same ship in a still harbor (possibly Newport or Goat Island), wd. 34, cylinder 19 1/2 in., (four repaired tips in percussion comb, old tip repairs in musical combs), on an ebonized table. Note: The unusual addition of a lid painting, the date of 1876, the maker's engraving on the zither, and the overall quality of the movement, suggest that this may have been a presentation box made on commission to celebrate America's centennial year.
Rare Bells and Automaton Cylinder Musical Box by Karrer, playing six patriotic, American and other airs, including Star Spangled Banner, accompanied by six engine-turned bells, four with bird strikers, two played by a cross-legged monkey automaton with articulated head and arms, with three musical combs and one optional percussion comb, short central lyre-form zither engraved in banner S. Karrer, Manufacturer of Musical Boxes, Teufenthal, Switzerland, in pewter-strung ebony case with tulipwood banding, ormolu carrying handles, the lid with marine painting of a full-rigged clipper in storm, signed Capt. Elisha Jonas, 1876, the inside lid depicting the same ship in a still harbor (possibly Newport or Goat Island), wd. 34, cylinder 19 1/2 in., (four repaired tips in percussion comb, old tip repairs in musical combs), on an ebonized table. Note: The unusual addition of a lid painting, the date of 1876, the maker's engraving on the zither, and the overall quality of the movement, suggest that this may have been a presentation box made on commission to celebrate America's centennial year.
.jpg?w=400 "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
