Olio su tela

The hinged cover with beaded ormolu frame enclosing a glazed panel with five circular apertures, the central aperture set with an ivory disc apparently monogrammed in hair 'MC' the four surrounding apertures apparently enclosing eight ivory discs, which alternate mechanically, one sequence with a miniature of a baby, a miniature of a lady wearing a black lace mantua, a disc with the monogram 'AS' and with a disc inscribed 'Fernando recibe en don/Esta imagen, de ti amada;/Aunque mas bien retratada/Estara en tu corazon.'; when rotated, four discs with the monograms 'MA', 'TS', 'PC' and 'RE' are shown, the interior of the lid lined with blue silk and mounted with silvered makers plaque embossed 'I. TAGLIONI REG. MACCHINISTA F. IN NAPOLI', above a glazed musical movement and an aperture for a four pronged key for operating the rotating discs to the cover, all raised on four ormolu and patinated bronze feet in the form of tortoises, with circular 'Anthony & Marietta Coleridge Collection' label, inscribed 'WA 19'

oil on canvas