A rare musical ‘Captain’s Desk’ Davenport is one of the highlights of the sale, which offers over 180 lots of musical instruments, mechanical music, scientific instruments and cameras. At first glance this piece, which was made circa 1875-80, appears to be purely a well veneered compact desk with a sloped piano-lid over an extendable writing desk. However, concealed within the burr-walnut finished body is a finely made musical box. A second finely cased disc musical box, this time in an upright longcase form with a clock, is also on offer. The superb piece was made by Symphonion, one of the finest and most admired makers of musical boxes.
Elsewhere in the sale, a strong selection of musical instruments is led by a good violin made in 1901 by Jeffery J Gilbert of Peterborough and a well-made classical guitar by Antonio Raya Pardo. Also of interest to collectors is a fine binocular microscope made by J. Swift of London, and a good example of the always desirable pharmacy leech jar. The present example was made by Samuel Alcock & Co, Cobridge, Staffordshire, and the earthenware is decorated with green and white ground with gilding.
Category
Lot 60 - A Superb Symphonion Style No. 30ST 13.1/2-inch Upright Longcase Disc Musical Box Timepiece
Sold for £2,800
Estimated at £3,000 - £5,000
Lot 62 - A Musical Box Playing Four Airs Almost Certainly By Ducommun Girod
Sold for £250
Estimated at £150 - £200
Lot 66 - A Good Hidden Drum And Bells Musical Box Playing Eight Airs, By B. A. Bremond
Sold for £480
Estimated at £400 - £600
Lot 77 - Sextant By Sewill (Maker To The Royal Navy, Liverpool)
Sold for £120
Estimated at £70 - £100
Lot 86 - A Samuel Alcock & Co., Cobridge, Staffordshire Earthenware Pharmacy Leech Jar And Cover
Sold for £900
Estimated at £1,000 - £1,500
Lot 88 - The Circulatory System Medical Poster By Adam, Rouilly & Co.
Sold for £100
Estimated at £80 - £120