Exceptional Vintage REUGE Swiss Cylinder Music Box | Acajou Burl Wood MINT

For over 150 years, the name Reuge has been synonymous with the pinnacle of mechanical music. Founded in 1865 by Charles Reuge in Sainte-Croix, Switzerland—the historic global capital of horology and mechanical automata—Reuge remains the undisputed master of traditional music box manufacturing. This piece is a testament to that legacy, combining the precision of Swiss micro-mechanics with the unparalleled artistry of European cabinet making. It represents a vanishing era of craftsmanship where mechanical complexity and aesthetic luxury were seamlessly united.

Item Description

We are proud to offer an exquisite, museum-grade vintage Reuge mechanical music box. Crafted in Switzerland, this exceptional piece is a masterclass in both acoustic engineering and fine woodworking.

• The Case: Constructed from highly prized, richly figured Acajou (mahogany) burl wood. The case is finished with a meticulous hand-applied, high-gloss lacquer that provides a mirror-like depth, enhancing the natural chatoyancy of the wood grain.

• The Marquetry: The lid features a breathtaking, hand-inlaid marquetry cartouche depicting classical musical instruments—a lute and a horn resting upon a scrolling sheet of music, framed by delicate floral motifs .

• The Interior: Opening the smooth, brass-hinged lid reveals a pristine interior fully lined in vibrant ruby-red velvet. It features a dedicated storage or jewelry compartment to the left, while the right side proudly displays the mechanical heart of the box under removable red velvet cover .

• Hardware: The box features elegant, rounded brass feet and a functioning front lock escutcheon. It comes complete with its original brass winding key on the underside and the original delicate golden lock key with a woven tassel .

The Movement & Acoustic Profile

At the core of this piece is a pristine, original Swiss Reuge cylinder movement, visibly stamped with the maker’s mark on the brass governor cover . The comb teeth and cylinder pins are in immaculate condition, ensuring crisp, resonant acoustic delivery.

• Melody: “Lara’s Theme” from the iconic film Doctor Zhivago

• Movement Number: No. 4809 (Original factory label intact on the base alongside the “EJB Made in Switzerland” foil sticker.

• Mechanism: Underside hand-crank wind with an internal pin-and-comb cylinder mechanism.

Dimensions & Specifications

• Length: 21 cm

• Width: 13 cm

• Height: 7 cm

• Material: Acajou (Mahogany) Burl Wood, Brass, Velvet, Steel Mechanical Components

• Origin: Sainte-Croix, Switzerland

Condition Report

Perfect Vintage Condition. This piece has been meticulously preserved. The lacquered finish is exceptionally clean with no crazing, dulling, or loss of gloss. The delicate marquetry is fully intact. The mechanical movement winds smoothly, plays with superb tonal clarity and tempo, and functions exactly as intended. The interior velvet shows no signs of degradation or fading.

Please review all provided high-resolution photographs carefully as they represent the actual item you will receive and serve as part of the description. Carefully packaged and shipped with full insurance to ensure this mechanical masterpiece arrives at its new estate in the exact condition photographed.

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