This certainly does not apply to a substantial piece of musical furniture, being offered by Auction Team Breker in Cologne on May 16 with an estimate of €10,000-15,000.
The 4ft 4in (1.33m) high mahogany cabinet was custom-made in the 1890s, probably in France, to house the musical mechanism which is fitted in the upper part. The mechanism with pinned cylinders and two combs was made by the Swiss company Geo Baker & Co in Geneva.
George Baker and his partner Samuel Troll had both worked as independent makers, until they joined forces c.1868. Their joint venture lasted until c.1891, when they went their separate ways. As a consequence, Baker’s company title was adapted to read Late G. Baker-Troll & Co., as can be seen on the transfer attached to the front of the housing.
This particular model was known as a Piccolo Forte Interchangeable Musical Box and comes with six pinned cylinders. They are housed in the drawers beneath the mechanism, which all in all have space for 12 cylinders, presenting the owner with a wide selection of musical selections.
