Swiss Enamel and Gold Musical Snuff Box

This exceptional 19th-century gold box appears at first glance be an exquisite snuff box adorned with a charming Swiss enamel vista encircled by a multitude of natural pearls. A quick wind of the key, however, reveals the complex mechanism hidden inside, and the box plays a wistful tune. Once known as carillons à musique, musical snuff boxes were once considered status symbols amongst the wealthy elite. A step above the traditional snuff box, musical boxes helped to influence the development and popularity of all music box production in the 19th century.

Inscribed under lid "To my Mother / Long may the strain affection offers please / And every year commence with sounds like these / 1829"

Circa 1829

1/2" high x 1 5/8" wide x 1 3/8" deep