Victorian 1895 Coin-op Barrel Piano, 10 Tunes

An authentic coin-operated barrel piano plays 10 French tunes, and is a larger version of the Victorian street piano or roller piano. The carved case has an oil painting, there is a wind-up mechanism and another crank to adjust the barrel to play 10 different French tunes shown on an indicator dial and hand-written list.

This remarkable antique was probably made around Nice, which was Italian at the time, see the speed adjustment "Celere - Adagio." There are bells and a wood block. The case has it's original painting and early Art Nouveau carving, and is worn and repaired from being used in a neighborhood pub.

The mechanism operates, although the tunes are raucous and not very musical. There is a need for tuning and adjustment on this historic mechanical instrument. Iron pegs on a wooden drum operate the piano "keys."

Size of this early version of a jukebox is 44" wide, 52" including the cranks, 26" deep and 59" tall.

*This piece has been rephotographed and relisted.

Item # C-P1173