Mermod Freres were prominent watch makers of the late 19th century and often made watches with musical movements. In addition they were renown for automata and music boxes.
Below are some examples of music boxes by Mermod Freres.
Disc music box, ‘Stella’, metal & wood, Mermod Freres, St Croix, Switzerland, c.1895. Made c 1895 This is a Stella model disc type music box made by Mermod Brothers, St Croix, Switzerland, in about 1895. In the late 1800s, mechanical music makers entertained people at home and in public. This machine was driven by a spring and played when a penny was put into the slot. Inside, a disc revolved and the holes on the disc caught onto thin pegs which in turn struck metal teeth to make the sounds. The tune could be changed by replacing the disc.
Reference: Museum of Applied Art and Sciences
A Mermod Freres bells-and-drum-in-sight cylinder music box, Swiss, late 19th century, the 28cm cylinder playing eight airs as listed on tune sheet, accompanied by snare drum and six graduated bells with inset strikers, in walnut and kingwood veneered case, with lid inlaid with marquetry fruitwood musical trophy 25in (64cm) wide
Sold for £ 1,875 inc. premium at Bonham’s in 2014
An Interchangeable ‘Soprano’ musical box by Mermod Freres No. 64406, with right-hand single-spring key-wind motor, parachute speed check, tune indicator/selector dial and zither, with M.F. tunesheet inside the lid inscribed Ideal Soprano, in grained case with inlaid rosewood veneered lid and front with transfer, with two cylinders playing six airs each, contained in separate unfinished storage box with the two tunesheets (Gamme No.s 58670 and 101567) -31¼in. (79.4cm) wide, the cylinders 14¾in. (37.5cm) (2)
Sold for GBP 2,640 at Christie’s in 2006
Mermod Freres Swiss Marquetry and String Inlaid Rosewood Music Cylinder Box Late 19th century With a rectangular case, enclosing a single cylinder, plays ten aires. Height 7 7/8 inches, width 24 inches.
Sold for $687 (includes buyer’s premium) at Doyle New York in 2011
“Station” Musical Box Chalet with Chinoiserie Automata by Mermod Frères, c. 1900 No. 11761, playing eight airs, with sublime harmony combs of 50 teeth and 43 teeth (both complete, approx. four neatly replaced treble tips), three dancing dolls, four optional saucer bells played by polychrome Mandarin figures during selected tunes, winding crank, coin-activated nickel-plated movement with release mechanism for Swiss Francs, plaque with patent dates to 1890, Parachute safety-check and manual/automatic change/repeat control, in carved walnut chalet-form case with balconies and pitched roof, width 33 ¾ x height 28 ½ x depth 15 in., (86 x 72,5 x 38 cm), cylinders 13 ¼ in. (34 cm). Excellent playing condition, an impressive audio-visual exhibition piece. Movement and case restored, dolls later additions.
Sold for €22,000 at Auction Team Breker in 2018
Mermod Frere Makers Mark
