Gilt Brass Jewelry Box, 19th Century French Music Box, By Léopold Oudry

Léopold Oudry (fl.1854-1882) a Late 19th-century gilt brass or bronze French music box jewelry casket, signed “L. Oudry Pre Editeur”. Probably for the Spanish market, the four sides and the lid are finely cast and detailed panels in high relief. The lid panel is of bullfighting, with a matador and picadors. The front panel depicts flamenco dancers at an outdoor party, The panel on the right side depicts ploughing. The panel at the left depicts a lady with children and goats. The panel on the reverse is of an indoor scene with a family around a table.

Unusually, The casket is fitted internally with a good-quality musical mechanism, with a wide range of notes, playing a classical-type tune (unidentified) for approximately 15 seconds when activated when two small levers protruding underneath the casket are moved to the left. The key for winding the mechanism is included. We are unsure whether the musical mechanism is original or a later adaptation. We will attempt to record the tune played on request.

The interior is of polished or gilt brass and green baize, which is most likely replaces the original lining.

Measurements:
Height: 15cm (5.9in)
Width: 20.3cm (8in)
Depth: 13.9cm (5.5in)

Condition: Very good. Only light wear. We are not sure how the musical mechanism is intended to work, being unsure why there are two levers. It may be worth asking a clockmaker to take a look in case more than one tune can be played.

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