Description

Cigar cabinet - Napoleon III period - XIXth century

Cigar cellar in the form of a wooden kiosk. The door panels are in Makassar Ebony veneer.

Brass ornamentation. Holds 18 cigars, which were smaller in those days than they are today.

Simply turn the knob on top to rotate the panels, revealing the cigars inside. The mechanism works, but is a little seized up, so you have to take it easy and help it a little without forcing it, as not all the doors open at the same time; you often have to open 1 or 2 doors by hand, and the same to close it again.

When you turn the knob, the doors open pretty well except for 1 or 2, but this is not the case for closing, you have to close the doors manually.

Originally, the kiosk was to have been made of blackened wood varnished with a buffer, but the base has been repainted in a patinated gold color.

The music box is still present and works on this model, but doesn't start when the doors open. You have to wind up the mechanism with the key located under the cellar to hear the music, but beware: once engaged, the music goes right to the end, as the metal tab designed to stop it doesn't work.

Label under the box announcing the music played: 

-Quand l'amour meurt (When love dies)

-Bien des choses chez vous (Many things about you)

Recent screws under the base.

Originally, the music box started when the wooden panels were opened. Perhaps a way of warning Madame that Monsieur was about to smoke a cigar...

Height: 29.5cm Base diameter: 19cm