74,750 HKD
The Rent Day F. Nicole, Geneva, circa 1825. Very fine tortoiseshell musical snuffbox decorated with a painted scene, playing two tunes. Accompanied by the original fitted box. Three-body, the lid painted with a scene after Sir David Wilkie (1785-1842) “The Rent Day”, side panels and base plain, two mother-of-pearl discs on the front panel for changing the tunes and activating the music, winding aperture in the base. 82 x 47 mm, pinned cylinder, comb of 63 tuned vibrating blades, two-arm fly worm-gear governor.Signed on the comb in typical Nicole manner.Dim. 96 x 63 x 30 mm. Notes Provenance: Bruce Seeby Collection. Literature: John E.T Clark, “Musical Boxes-History & Appreciation”,Winchester, Mass., 1979, opposite p. 48. Francois Nicole (1776 – 1849) He was a famous make of music boxes. Circa 1825 he invented the damper for tuned vibrating blades. His company, established as early as 1815, at 17, Rue Kléber, continued at the same address until the 1880s. Sir David Wilkie (1785 - 1842) A Scottish portrait, historical and genre painter. Born in Fife, he studied in Edinburgh and London and was inspired by Dutch and Flemish painters. His style was detailed, strong and rich in color. His success lay in his ability to capture ordinary human situations with humor and sympathy. His work was very popular and was widely published. Chosen as painter to George IV, he was knighted for his services in 1831. “The Rent Day”, was composed during recovery from a fever contracted in 1807
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2004-06-06
