A fine, early  and very unusual Palais Royal Cupid and Harp musical box

with cylinder movement. The finely modelled cupid sits upon an Empire stool and plays a classical 16 string harp with acanthus leaf scroll top arm. The front tapering column having six captive panels of mother of pearl while the arm closest to the cupid has two captive panels of mother of pearl. The top of the base has three captive panels of mother of pearl separated by fern leaves. A pierced ormolu gallery surrounds the top. The ormolu base profusely decorated with varying designs including acanthus scrolls. Drawer to one end and all sitting upon four ormolu bracket feet. The movement is operated by pulling a switch to the side. The early movement is a segmented comb. 

 

Circa 1830.

 

9 inches high by 6.75 inches wide by 4.75 inches deep ( 22.5 cms by 17 cms by 12 cms).