Nicole Freres.

An exceptional interchangeable cylinder music box, Nicole Frères, No. 47417, circa 1877 on matching writing desk. A “true Nicole”, made on custom order by the family prior to their selling the firm.

The two-part comb has 226 teeth in groups of up to six. Six 16-1/4” x 3-1/8” diameter, 4-tune cylinders include: three with two 2-selection variations, two with four overtures, and one with eight two-per-turn hymns. Each cylinder plays four 1 ½ minute selections for a total of 6 minutes.

The lever-wind mechanism on ribbed brass bedplate with engine-turned double spring barrels is in a cross-banded burr-walnut case with birds-eye maple interior and silvered tune plaque, on matching writing desk with ebonized interior, tooled leather writing surface, storage compartments, three drawers and cylinder storage compartment below.

Renowned author Arthur Ord-Hume (“The Encyclopedia of Automatic Musical Instruments”) characterizes variation arrangements as “one of the most interesting and musically spectacular styles” The large number of teeth enable the dramatic embellishments and musical fireworks that are the signature of this style.

For a similar example see:

https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-4163941