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Exciting Tortoiseshell Pique Piano-Shaped Music Box browse these categories for related items... All Items: Archives: Decorative Art: Pre 1960: item # 563694 GlitzQueen History and Art to Wear 56 Calle Monte Aplanado, NW Albuquerque, NM 87120 Phone: 505.205.1404 Guest Book Sold; thank you! Free U.S. Priority Shipping (& Gift-Wrap if Desired) |
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Because it plays the charming Cole Porter tune "I Love Paris," which debuted in the 1953 musical "Can-Can", this gorgeous music box shaped like a grand piano can't be older than that. Even so, it's about 50 years old and of a type that won't ever be duplicated, so has assured investment value. Tortoiseshell has appreciated a lot since it became taboo in 1975 -- a great break for threatened hawksbill sea turtles, but disappointing for collectors of this marvelous substance prized by connoisseurs since ancient times. Its worth resides in its rich mottled colors -- translucent yellow dashed and spotted with brown -- and its very high sheen. The Romans veneered furniture with it and the Georgians and Victorians adored tortoiseshell piqué jewels inlaid with metals, mother-of-pearl and whatnot. Tortoiseshell is actually a natural thermoplastic, so it softens when heated, making it easy to insert other materials; that's the process called piqué. You can tell the shell is genuine by the pattern of dots visible under magnification and by the absence of mold marks you'd see in modern plastic. This treasure, obviously hand-made, holds irregular silver leaf forms and gold or gilt twisted wire. The music plays when you wind the key on the base and open the keyboard cover to reveal lovely keys of carved ivory or bone. You can also open the top, revealing a fine beveled mirror, the music works clad in a blue sueded box and a little niche just the size for a favorite few rings. Measuring about 6 inches long, 3.75 inches wide and 3 inches tall (or 6.5 inches when opened), it stands on three brass-tipped legs of intricately turned wood. Condition is gorgeous, although we should take note of two flaws. The keyboard cover, which has a filament hinge on one side to activate the music, is missing something on the other side (hard to notice, but there's a teensy chip at the outer edge) and the broad side of the box is somewhat uneven. The latter is probably original to the piece, since it's quite a production to bring the various plates of a tortoise's carapace together and one wants to avoid any waste due to the high value. This is a really remarkable item. I've seen no others like it, either before or after the English auction sale where we acquired it. My best guess on origin is France, where it may well have been produced as a special souvenir for tourists who'd enjoyed "Can-Can." There's no charge for insured U.S. shipping and gift-wrap is always free when desired. Please e-mail to confirm availability, order or request more photos. Thanks for looking! |
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