circa 1875, attributed to B.A. Bremond of Geneva, Switzerland, the four comb instrument playing on (6) interchangeable cylinders, each playing (6) airs and all stamped "FTV" with serial numbers, featuring three Chinoiserie automata figures striking on (6) concerto bells, (14) hammer percussion striking on a drum and castanet, and organ bellows, the brass bed plate stamped with serial number "41353" and "II", the box lid mounted with orchestral tune sheet, possibly George Bendon, inscribed in French with Victorian Royal Coat Of Arms and numbered 41353-147; presented within a double handled sarcophagus form case and resting atop a serpentine table, the whole in burl veneers with ebonized panels and mixed wood linear inlays, obverse with two drawers fitted for cylinder storage, on cabriole legs.

43 x 49 1/2 x 31 1/2 in.

Private Collection, Charlotte, North Carolina

Instrument operating at time of review; far left automata figure will engage but not moving during music; some surface scratches to veneers and moldings; comb on far right with loss to two teeth tips; areas of marring to top lid; scattered areas of veneer loss and patches, most noticeably to table top perimeter; cracks with associated repairs to side aprons, and table top underneath instrument case, losses to upper drawer pull; base drawer missing lock; pulls old but at least two likely replaced; lid will lock automatically when shut; no key.