Small and early Nicole Freres 4 tune music box

Nice and early pre-1850 cylinder music box.

Made by Nicole Freres music box manufacturers in about 1844. The key wind mechanism plays 4 well known tunes on a cylinder of 14,5cm long and a diameter of about 38mm, as indicated on the original tunesheet. There are signature on the comb and tunesheet, the serial number 24718 can be found on the tunesheet, the mechanism (top right-hand side) and the bottom of the case.

The case has no marquetry as one shout expect of a box of this size and era. The hinged endflap on the left-hand side reveals 3 operating levers.

Nice and early example the most important music box maker