An early and fine antique rosewood musical neccessaire,

Circa 1830

A stitch in time...

When wound and start lever actuated, two airs play from the movement secretly placed in the base of the beautifully proportioned rosewood veneered case, containing many sewing aids in fitted interior.

The early and impressive Drége cylinder movement with 14-part sectional tooth comb with teeth in groups of five, in plain brass bedplate, in tinplate capsule with glass dustlid, under the fitted tray for silver scissors, darning needle, needle case, thimble, bottle top, needle point cup stalk and other items, to fitted tray with many fielded partitions to include pincushion and implement slots, lid with padded matching red silk panel with crossed ribbons held by finely pressed gilt metal bosses, in rosewood veneered domed shaped case with slender molded profile base, domed lid bearing fruitwood inlaid scene of two griffins upon flowering branches with berries, further fruitwood as a strung frame to finish, start/stop and change/repeat levers and winding spindle to base.

9in. wide, the depth 6in., the height 4.1/2in., (22.8 x 15.2 x 11.5cm)

the cylinder 2.1/2in. (6.4cm)

Point of interest -

These early cylinder movements are always exciting to listen to.  On the second air, a highly active tremble timbre using six teeth brings a great business to the music and this pinning run can be seen clearly on the cylinder.  At the dawn of making single-section combs, these sectional varieties using 4,5 or even 6 grouped teeth make for very good acoustics and this particular box is, on the right surface, very loud and clear with good quality notation heard and enjoyed.  And to complete it, it does genuinely have a very useful purpose...