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An exhibition-standard serpentine-form interchangeable cylinder musical box by G. Baker-Troll
For a brave restoration With large single-spring motor, single-section comb with zither attachment, on reeded cast gilt bedplate, with four cylinders each wrapped individually in newspaper, lacking divider and control board and also governor but block present, under dustlid, in once superbly refined case of exhibition quality, with stained bird’s-eye maple veneered panel to lid interior, base and lid edges with kingwood crossbanding, the serpentine-form case with butterfly burr-walnut veneers, large absent metal plaque to lid centre, plinth base – pine chassis badly eaten in places by Eastern larvae (long dead). Measures: Case 33 inches (84 cm) wide. Cylinders 13 inches (33cm) Footnote: This is a very good example of how pests [Schädlinge] can invade the tasty pine, but leave the bitter veneers. Be careful when handling. I think most of the veneers can be saved – the nice touch here is the crossbanding seen on the edge of both base and lid when the box is opened. This would have had a stand/table for the cylinders as the location peg ends are in-situ. A very careful manual turn, due to there being no governor, reveals a movement well-worth restoring. It sounds extremely good, even in this state. (©Laurence Fisher)
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