A Refined Swiss Music Box for the American Market — 1960s
A refined vintage music box from the 1960s, crafted in wood and covered with a thin layer of black leather richly decorated with elegant gold embossed ornamentation.The lid features a softly padded top, giving it a pleasant tactile softness and slightly rounded edges that enhance its luxurious appearance.
The decoration evokes the eclectic glamour of the Hollywood Regency style — the aesthetic of choice for Hollywood's golden era elite in the 1950s-60s.
The intricate golden motifs surrounding a central medallion, with their oriental-inspired elegance on a deep black background, create a sophisticated and timeless character. This piece embodies that spirit: luxurious, sophisticated, and designed to make a statement.
Inside, the box offers a single spacious wooden compartment designed to hold jewelry, small treasures, or keepsakes.
The music mechanism is positioned underneath the base, allowing the interior to remain fully usable.
THE MECHANISM
The movement is a Reuge Switzerland mechanism, larger than the typical small standard music box movement. It features a 22-tooth comb working on the cylinder and a small toothed selector wheel on top that allows the user to change between multiple melodies. As the spring gradually unwinds, the final melody slows slightly, creating a natural and charming variation in rhythm typical of mechanical music boxes.
CRAFTSMANSHIP DETAILS
A closer look reveals the exceptional quality of this piece, unmistakable signs of Swiss manufacture destined for the export market, likely the United States, during the 1950s-60s:
· Internal woodwork shows precision milling where the stop-start wire passes
· The base features a finely machined half-round groove
· The start lever is crafted from domed brass — not the simple wire found on standard models
· The hinge is high-quality brass
· The leather covering is a fine hide approximately 0.5 mm thick
· The gold stamping is of remarkable quality
· Even the hidden wooden interior is executed with precision A beautiful decorative object as well as a collectible Swiss musical piece, perfect for a vintage interior, a Hollywood Regency style setting, or as a special gift
DETAILS
· Origin: Switzerland (Reuge movement)
· Period: 1960s
· Style: Hollywood Regency / Oriental-inspired
· Materials: Wood structure, fine leather covering (approx. 0.5 mm), gold embossed decoration, brass hardware
· Mechanism: Reuge Switzerland cylinder movement, 22-tooth comb, multiple melodies selector
· Interior: Single compartment for jewelry or small objects
· Dimensions: 18 cm × 11.5 cm × 8 cm (7.1 × 4.5 × 3.1 inches)
· Condition: Excellent, fully functional
Distributed by Mireille Boutique and personally chosen by Diego Casella.
SHIPPING
Express shipping with professional packaging for safe delivery.
Sold by MireilleBoutique