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Musical box

Rectangular case, the front and sides veneered with walnut, crossbanded with tulipwood and bordered with a light wood stringing. Back of ebonised wood. Front inlaid with scrolling design of a ribbon hung with flowers, in a pale wood. Cast gilt bronze handles applied at the sides. Lid veneered with walnut, crossbanded with tulipwood, bordered with a light wood stringing, and inlaid with central design of gun, quiver of arrows and bird, surrounded by scrolling ribbon intertwined with flowers, all in pale and stained fruitwoods. Lid of box has been attached upside down, so central motif appears upside down. Interior of case ebonised. Cylinder and comb, with ratcheted lever-winding mechanism on left-hand side and stop/start levers on right. Geneva stopwork mechanism on barrel. Speed governed by worm-driven fly on right. Six engraved bells struck by hammers in the form of six golden birds. Glass cover. Plays 12 tunes, described on paper tune-sheet on underside of lid, printed with the British Royal Arms, believed to be the trademark of George Bendon & Co., London, importers of Swiss musical boxes. Case raised on four ebonised corner feet.

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  • Repository:National Museums Liverpool
  • Measurements:Width 695mm, depth 290mm, height 250mm