Early sectional comb music boxes rarely come to market. This music box was crafted circa 1820. The teeth are solid steel (no brass or lead weights soldered underneath for tuning) and each section has only three teeth. Later sectional comb music boxes will have four to five teeth per section and also weights soldered to the bass teeth for tuning.

The case is a blend of tortoise shell and pressed horn and it does have a few of the lighter blonde inclusions sometimes featured in tortoise shell cases; this is not a gutta percha or bois derci case. The case, like all antique tortoise shell cases, naturally has been repaired in the past and has appropriate patina.

It is important to note that this music box was not designed to be fully dampered like later music boxes so there will be some extra tonal vibrations as originally designed; I did re-damper the deepest toned bass teeth as the teeth allowed for that. I have heard both songs before but similar to many early music boxes, neither I nor my peers know the 200 year old songs.

I fully serviced (cleaned, adjusted, lubricated)the mechanical movement and also added dampers to the extreme bass teeth so thismusic box plays very well and as designed.

Approximate measurements in inches: 3 1/4 x 2 1/4 x 1 1/8 inches.. Overall in excellent antique condition with natural & appropriate patina. In summary, this is a nice example of an early sectional comb music box that is almost 200 years old.

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