Lecoultre attributable: Hidden Bells etc.
Hidden bells, drum and castanets of an orchestra piece beneath the bed plate

Swiss Music Box with Hidden bells, drum and castanets of an orchestra piece beneath the bed plate, attributable to LeCoultre Freres.
Only a few of this variety were made, so it is a rarity, c.1870, music box makers quickly learned that their customers wanted the visual accompaniment (“en vue”) and subsequent orchestra boxes were made with the orchestra above for all to see.

The rosewood case has decorative inlay on the lid, and very unusual, intricate, swirled grain painting of the front and sides.

Measurements are 22" wide x 8.5" deep x 8.5" high.

The 14" cylinder plays 6 songs, with no broken or replaced teeth. There are separate on-off control switches for the drum and castanets.

Quite frankly, turning off the drum and castanets produces a smoother, more synchronized melody. These orchestra elements were intended more for visual than audio enjoyment.

The mechanism is fitted with the usual stop/start and change/repeat levers. It's spring "lever wound", an improvement introduced about 1865 which did away with key-winds or cranks.

The tune sheet is a replacement by the seller Raphael Cole.