https://livesongcontainers.com Mon, 18 May 2026 12:17:44 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.1.1 https://livesongcontainers.com/rare-antique-nicole-freres-swiss-cylinder-music-box-circa-1847/ https://livesongcontainers.com/rare-antique-nicole-freres-swiss-cylinder-music-box-circa-1847/#comments Sat, 26 Apr 2025 23:28:44 +0000 https://livesongcontainers.com/rare-antique-nicole-freres-swiss-cylinder-music-box-circa-1847/










This exquisite Swiss music box by Nicole Frères, circa 1847, features a beautifully inlaid rosewood case with a polished finish and houses a finely crafted 8-air cylinder mechanism marked with serial number 29531. The original hand-scripted tune card is mounted inside the lid, listing selections such as “The Caledonian Quadrille” and works by Labitzky and Strauss. The brass cylinder and steel comb are in excellent condition, and the mechanism includes functioning controls for Play/Stop, Repeat/Change, and Off/Play, as well as the original winding key. A remarkable example of 19th-century horological craftsmanship, this antique music box offers both visual and auditory elegance for collectors and connoisseurs of mechanical music. Dimensions: 20.25″L x 6.5″W x 4.5H.

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This Nicole Freres music is in wonderful condition and plays beautifully. The 13 cylinder, brass bed plate and early 8-tune key wind make it a unique addition to any collection. The music box was manufactured in circa 1860.

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ANTIQUE NICOLE FRERES CIRCA 1880 SWISS 25 MUSIC BOX WOODEN CASE DECOR INLAID. TESTED, MAINTAINED, WORKING GOOD. RETAINS ORIGINAL TUNE CARD ON INNER LID. SUBTLE OXIDATION TO COMB AND CYLINDER. Box 25″ x 8 1/4″ x 5. BOX HAVE SCRATCHES AROUND, CONDITION ACCORDING TO AGE, HAVE NO KEY.

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A Nicole Freres Masterpiece. “The Holy Grail of Music Boxes”. If you are interested in acquiring a fine Swiss music box, then you must certainly be aware of the premier maker, a family enterprise that essentially founded the business of making music boxes, and made only “The Best” for many years. Their Geneva-based firm remains the gold standard of music boxes to this day. We are pleased to offer this, the finest type of cylinder music box made by Nicole, or anyone else for that matter. Bearing serial #44266, dating to 1872, it plays four operatic overtures, the titles of which can be seen on the original engraved tune card shown in the pictures: Freischutz, Fra Diavolo, Semiramide, and William Tell. The mechanism consists of a 4″ diameter x 17″ long cylinder and combs with hundreds of finely spaced teeth. There are all in tune with no damper squeaks or other noises. The music section was completely restored about 13 years ago by the renowned Dave Beck (since retired). Thus, it plays as well as it did when it was made in 1872. This is a very rare piano-forte format, with the larger comb housing 170 teeth, and the smaller one 60 teeth, for a total of 230. The casework, measuring 31″ x 14″ x10, with extensive decorative and banded inlay, and bronze lifting handles, was restored by the late Domenic DiBernardo in Canada, a renowned collector who was an absolute perfectionist with casework restoration. Music boxes such as this were not mass-produced; indeed Grand Format overture pieces were specially commissioned for wealthy buyers and royalty. They rarely, if ever, come up for sale. This has been in our collection for about 10 years, and only advancing age prompts it’s sale. We have other overture music boxes in stock, including another Nicole Freres Grand Format Overture. We are a leading world-wide dealer and specialist in mechanical music, clocks and phonographs and stand by what we sell 100%. Musical Treasures of Miami. 2940 West Lake Vista Circle, Davie, FL 33328. Antique Music Boxes – Clocks – Phonographs. Best Quality Best Selection Best Guarantee.

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A Nicole Freres Masterpiece. “The Holy Grail of Music Boxes”. If you are interested in acquiring a fine Swiss music box, then you must certainly be aware of the premier maker, a family enterprise that essentially founded the business of making music boxes, and made only “The Best” for many years. Their Geneva-based firm remains the gold standard of music boxes to this day. We are pleased to offer this, the finest type of cylinder music box made by Nicole, or anyone else for that matter. Bearing serial #40441, dating to 1865, it plays four operatic overtures, the titles of which can be seen on the original engraved tune card shown in the pictures: Semiramide, Freischutz, Magic Flute and William Tell. The mechanism consists of a 4″ diameter x 17″ long cylinder and combs with hundreds of finely spaced teeth. There are all in tune with no damper squeaks or other noises. About 15 years ago we sent the mechanism to the Baud Museum in L’Auberson, Switzerland, who have the world’s highest-regarded music box workshop. They thoroughly restored the mechanism to as-new condition, tuning every tooth and damper in the process, etc. Thus, it plays as well as it did when it was made in 1865. The casework, measuring 29″ x 11″ x 9, with extensive decorative, mother-of-pearl, and brass inlay, was sent to the famed Atelier Margot, also in Switzerland, who did a similar restoration to bring it to as-new condition. Music boxes such as this were not mass-produced; indeed Grand Format overture pieces were specially commissioned for wealthy buyers and royalty. They rarely, if ever, come up for sale. This has been in our collection for about 15 years, and only advancing age prompts it’s sale. We have other overture music boxes in stock, including a Piano Forte Grand Format Overture. We are a leading world-wide dealer and specialist in mechanical music, clocks and phonographs and stand by what we sell 100%. Musical Treasures of Miami. 2940 West Lake Vista Circle, Davie, FL 33328. Antique Music Boxes – Clocks – Phonographs. Best Quality Best Selection Best Guarantee.

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NICOLE FRERES GENEVE MUSIC BOX 8 AIRS 13 CYLINDER C 1850’s MATCHING #’s 39974. ESTATE FRESH FROM UPSTATE NY IS THIS RARE NICOLE FRERES SWISS MUSIC BOXTHE INTERIOR LID, OF LACQUERED CHINESE RED HAS ORIGINAL PAPER TUNE PROGRAM LISTING EIGHT TUNESTHE MUSIC BOX IS PROTECTED BY AN INTERIOR GLASS LID, AND THE LEVER-WOUND BOX PLAYS EIGHT AIRS, TWO PER REVOLUTION ON THE 13 BRASS CYLINDERTHE BRASS BEDPLATE IS INCISED NICOLE FRERES GENEVE, WITH SERIAL NUMBER 39974, THE PROGRAM LABEL IS SIGNED NICOLE FRERES WITH MATCHING SERIAL NUMBER. 20″ LONG6.5″ WIDE5 TALL. 8 AIRS13 CYLINDERc1850’s. WORKING CONDITIONPLAYS & SOUNDS FANTASTIC! CONDITIONGLASS IS CRACK FREECASE IS SOLID. JUST OVER 18#’s UNPACKED. MESSAGE ME WITH ANY QUESTIONS. I DONT CLAIM TO BE AN EXPERT BUT TRY TO REPRESENT EACH ITEM THE BEST I CAN THROUGH A BRIEF DESCRIPTION & PICTURES. NEW AUCTIONS POSTED WEEKLY. We take our time to prepare every single order to ensure your item arrives safely. Most items are insured. Local Pick-Up is Available on Larger Items. We are always happy to assist. Please reach out to us before returning so we can discuss the issue! This item is in the category “Collectibles\Decorative Collectibles\Music Boxes”. The seller is “hawkeye-hazels-curiosities” and is located in this country: US. This item can be shipped to United States.

• Brand: Nicole Freres
• Time Period Manufactured: Pre-1900
• Country/Region of Manufacture: Switzerland
• Handmade: Yes

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NICOLE FRERES OVERTURE MUSIC BOX. TEN (10) INTERCHANGEABLE “FAT” CYLINDERS. Our travels have taken us all over the world, looking for the finest examples. This absolutely is near, or at the top, of our list of the all-time best. Made by the premier maker of music boxes, Nicole Freres of Geneva, Switzerland. A company that absolutely refused to compromise quality and perfection, to the extent that they saw their business deteriorate in the late 1870’s, due to the large-scale manufacturing of competitors in St. Croix, who could not match Nicole’s quality but could compete better on price. Thus, beware of any post-1880 music boxes (beginning with Serial #50,000) as they are not of the prior standards. This magnificent piece (Serial #47419) was custom made in 1877 on special order for (obviously) a well-to-do client. It is a stunning writing desk model, with pull-out table, inkwells, etc. And constructed of rosewood and burl wood and exhibiting stunning inlays on the lid and doors. Each of the ten (10) cylinders play overtures, as indicated on the engraved silver tune sheet. Only the very, very best music boxes were furnished with these silver accoutrements. The double-spring motor has engraved spring barrels, another rare sign of exclusivity and grandeur. The combs, signed by Nicole Freres, are perfectly in tune and have no broken teeth or damper noises. All of the cylinders have a perfect set of pins. Very little overall wear to the mechanism is evident, indicating a lightly-used instrument. Video will open in a new window. Using the mobile app? Overall size of the complete unit is approximately 44″ wide x 25″ deep x 44 high. This is your chance to own an absolutely magnificent, world-class music box that is unequalled in quality or desirability. SPECIAL OFFER: We will personally deliver and set this up in your home virtually anywhere in the U. East of the Mississippi, at NO CHARGE. We are a leading world-wide dealer and specialist in mechanical music, clocks and phonographs and stand by what we sell 100%. Musical Treasures of Miami. 2940 West Lake Vista Circle, Davie, FL 33328. Antique Music Boxes – Clocks – Phonographs. Best Quality Best Selection Best Guarantee. This item is in the category “Collectibles\Decorative Collectibles\Music Boxes”. The seller is “musicaltreasuresofmiami” and is located in this country: US. This item can be shipped worldwide.

• Country/Region of Manufacture: Switzerland

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Just found at a local estate sale. This is a very old music box that is signed “Nicole Freres A Geneva” and marked “18” on the key. Just look at these photos!! In all original condition. Has some old usage wear, the box measures 17 3/4″ long by 6 1/2″ wide by 5 high. This is a VERY RARE Music box to find!!! This item is in the category “Collectibles\Decorative Collectibles\Music Boxes”. The seller is “ladybug007″ and is located in this country: US. This item can be shipped worldwide.

• Brand: Nicole Freres
• Time Period Manufactured: Pre-1900

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A fine quality 6 air music box made by Nicole Freres in 1854. Crafted during the golden age of the key wind era, this musical box is a fine example of a mid 19th century Nicole Freres musical box. The musical programme is delightful and is played perfectly by this machine. The three control levers can be found to the left hand side of the case concealed behind the hinged drop flap. Movement and case have been lovingly restored by our craftsmen. Antique Nicole Freres 6 Air Music Box C. This item is in the category “Antiques\Woodenware\Boxes”. The seller is “churchward_a” and is located in this country: GB. This item can be shipped worldwide.

• Style/ Period: Victorian
• Product: Boxes
• Age: 1850-1899
• Antique: Yes
• Original/Repro: Original

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You are looking at a RARE ANTIQUE MUSIC BOX by Nicole Freres GENEVE w/ Dove Strikers Circa 1875. For more information please contact me. The item “RARE ANTIQUE MUSIC BOX by Nicole Freres GENEVE with Dove Strikers Circa 1875″ is in sale since Wednesday, April 7, 2021. This item is in the category “Collectibles\Decorative Collectibles\Music Boxes\Pre-1900″. The seller is “equipmentlab” and is located in Burbank, California. This item can be shipped to United States.

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