Mid 1800's Palais Royale (Nécessaire) with musical movement for restoration
Photos from Jane Watson before delivery
Necessaire and contents delivered on 5th February 2025
A gift from Jane's husband, with provenance (see further down the page)
A gift from Jane's husband, with provenance (see further down the page)
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Case issues and work Identified
Replace broken mirror using original braid Re-glue RH rear corner Replace hinges with stop hinges to prevent further damage to box Repair scissors, awl and mother of pearl bobbin (if possible) Polish silver (if possible) Attach ribbon to both ends of the tray to facilitate lifting Clean and polish lock (can't be removed) and brass feet Refit feet so that the box does not rock Supply key and tassel for lock Clean & polish exterior with shellac |
2/61 Musical Movement
Dismantle, clean, polish, service, reassemble & test Repair damaged spring arbor Replace male Geneva stop Provide control lever extensions Provide winder key Refix into base of box Provide / fix movement cover guides |
Wednesday 5th February
Hinges removed and measured for replacement. Replacements ordered
Lock keep & brass feet removed for cleaning
Broken mirror removed and braid stored for re-use
Damaged corner glued and cramped
Key found for lock, which works perfectly
Hinges removed and measured for replacement. Replacements ordered
Lock keep & brass feet removed for cleaning
Broken mirror removed and braid stored for re-use
Damaged corner glued and cramped
Key found for lock, which works perfectly
Wednesday 5th February.
Movement dismantled & inspected
General condition very good with few bent pins
Unusual return spring arrangement.
Snail cam with four tune positions. Unusual for this size of movement.
There are 61 teeth, all intact
Drive pin is loose, and won't tighten
Spring arbor hook is broken off. Will need repair
Brass component immersed in clock cleaner
Movement dismantled & inspected
General condition very good with few bent pins
Unusual return spring arrangement.
Snail cam with four tune positions. Unusual for this size of movement.
There are 61 teeth, all intact
Drive pin is loose, and won't tighten
Spring arbor hook is broken off. Will need repair
Brass component immersed in clock cleaner
Thursday 6th February
Musical movement components cleaned and polished. Partly reassembled.
Musical movement components cleaned and polished. Partly reassembled.
Wednesday 12th February
Replacement hinges have arrived and in cleaning solution
Damaged arbor taken to repairer.
Cramps removed from box re-glue
Replacement hinges have arrived and in cleaning solution
Damaged arbor taken to repairer.
Cramps removed from box re-glue
Friday 14th February
Replacement hinges polished and fitted
Replacement hinges polished and fitted
Tuesday 18th February
Hinge fitting completed.
New control levers and buttons made and fitted to the movement.
Replacement winder key ordered, received & polished.
New lock key filed to size and polished. New tassel sewn on.
Hinge fitting completed.
New control levers and buttons made and fitted to the movement.
Replacement winder key ordered, received & polished.
New lock key filed to size and polished. New tassel sewn on.
Saturday 22nd February
Gluing and making good
Gluing and making good
Final preparations for polishing.
Cleaned with 0000 grade steel wool dipped in Methylated Spirits.
Abraded with 320 grit then 400 grit silicon carbide paper
One deep hole filled with wax.
Cleaned with 0000 grade steel wool dipped in Methylated Spirits.
Abraded with 320 grit then 400 grit silicon carbide paper
One deep hole filled with wax.
Sunday 23rd February
Inner tray and contents cleaned.
Ribbon tab for lifting the tray glued in its original position.
Mirrors and braid to the four corner recesses re-glued.
Several blue backing paper areas re-glued and tidied up
Inner tray and contents cleaned.
Ribbon tab for lifting the tray glued in its original position.
Mirrors and braid to the four corner recesses re-glued.
Several blue backing paper areas re-glued and tidied up
Dried wax removed. Hole filled perfectly.
First ten coats of shellac applied and left to dry.
First ten coats of shellac applied and left to dry.
Monday 24th February
Brass feet re-fitted
Tray edges trimmed
Movement cover cleaned
Mirror ordered
Original mirror trim cleaned up ready to be re-glued in place
Brass feet re-fitted
Tray edges trimmed
Movement cover cleaned
Mirror ordered
Original mirror trim cleaned up ready to be re-glued in place
Monday 17th March
New mirror collected, fitted and edged with the original green & gold braid.
Apart from a couple more coats of shellac, the box is finished.
The mainspring arbor hook has been repaired and I'm just waiting for two new fixing screws and the male Geneva stop-works.
Then it will be final push to rebuild the mechanism, test it and fit it into the box with its new controls to complete this restoration.
New mirror collected, fitted and edged with the original green & gold braid.
Apart from a couple more coats of shellac, the box is finished.
The mainspring arbor hook has been repaired and I'm just waiting for two new fixing screws and the male Geneva stop-works.
Then it will be final push to rebuild the mechanism, test it and fit it into the box with its new controls to complete this restoration.
2nd April
Today I collected the repaired spring arbor and two new fixing screws.
The movement is now reassembled and, with a few small adjustments, runs quite well.
A few pins needed straightening and some adjustment made to the star cam tune change mechanism.
More testing and some fine tuning required, but looking good!
Male Geneva stop still to be made and fitted.
Today I collected the repaired spring arbor and two new fixing screws.
The movement is now reassembled and, with a few small adjustments, runs quite well.
A few pins needed straightening and some adjustment made to the star cam tune change mechanism.
More testing and some fine tuning required, but looking good!
Male Geneva stop still to be made and fitted.
4th April
A relatively minor problem has arisen during testing (that's why we do it).
The tune change was not working properly so I removed the cylinder and arbor.
The dive pin is loose due to a partially stripped thread so a new one will need to be made.
A relatively minor problem has arisen during testing (that's why we do it).
The tune change was not working properly so I removed the cylinder and arbor.
The dive pin is loose due to a partially stripped thread so a new one will need to be made.
16th / 17th April
Drive pin made and mechanism running but the tunes were out of register (garbelled) so adjustment needed.
Male Geneva stop also made and fitted.
Tune registration now sorted and and the tunes change as they should
All is finished and ready for collection on 26th
Drive pin made and mechanism running but the tunes were out of register (garbelled) so adjustment needed.
Male Geneva stop also made and fitted.
Tune registration now sorted and and the tunes change as they should
All is finished and ready for collection on 26th
24th April - Restoration complete
From the Auctioneer
Original Tennants Auctioneers description and details
"A Rosewood and Marquetry Musical Necessaire, late 19th century, of rectangular form with hinged cover with floral panel enclosing a mirror and lift-out tray with various white metal, steel, mother-of-pearl and other accoutrements, on gilt metal bun feet, the cylindrical movement playing on a comb 30cm wide Some veneer losses and repairs. Escutcheon with some loss. All four feet original and intact. Internal mirror badly broken. Box key and winding key lacking. Accoutrements appear intact but some may be replacement. Music box main spring broken. Comb in good order, no teeth lacking."
Auction Details
Autumn Fine Sale (Day One) The Contents of Knavesmire Lodge, 11th Nov, 2022
THE SELECTED CONTENTS OF KNAVESMIRE LODGE, YORK FROM THE ESTATE OF THE LATE MR DARRELL BUTTERY MBE
Darrell Buttery (1941-2022) was an inspiring teacher, a writer, and a champion of the civic heritage of York. This sale offers selected contents of his home, Knavesmire Lodge, a Georgian villa overlooking York Racecourse, and will include furniture, antiques, fine art, and books.
Autumn Fine Sale (Day Two) catalogue British, European & Sporting Art catalogue
A collection of furniture, antiques, fine art, and books belonging to a notable figure of York's cultural and heritage scene are to be sold in a single-owner sale at Tennants Auctioneers. The Selected Contents of Knavesmire Lodge, York from the Estate of the Late Mr Darrell Buttery MBE will be sold on 11th November, Day 1 of Tennants' Autumn Fine Sale.
Darrell Buttery (1941-2022) was an inspiring teacher, a writer, and a champion of the civic heritage of the city he made his home. Born in Guisborough, he first became enthralled with history and heritage at a young age, when visiting York and its churches when his father was the manager of a cinema in the city. After leaving Guisborough Grammar School, Buttery studied English at Durham University before taking up a career in education teaching English Literature.
After his first post at Ashville College in Harrogate, he went on to become the Head of English at Wootton Bassett School before returning to Yorkshire to teach at Nunthorpe Grammar School, Queen Mary's School near Thirsk, and Pocklington School.
Over the decades Buttery built up an extraordinary depth of knowledge of the history of his beloved York. His dedication to preserving the historic sites of the city led him to join and hold positions in numerous cultural organisations, including becoming Chairman and President of the York Civic Trust, Chairman of York Georgian Society, Governor of York's Company of Merchant Adventurers, as well as becoming a Conservative member for Harrogate Borough Council. An engaging public speaker with a sharp wit, he fought vociferously numerous planning applications that would despoil York's important historic sites.
As a collector, he filled his Georgian villa overlooking York Racecourse with art and antiques, seeking out pieces linked with York, and as an author published works including 'The Vanished Buildings of York' (1984), 'Picture of York Minster from 17th Century to the Present' (2007), and the co-authored 'The Streets of York: Four Centuries of Change' (2018).
Darrell Buttery was a deputy lieutenant of North Yorkshire, was appointed MBE in 2018 and is remembered by all who knew him as a deeply kind and courteous man with impeccable manners and a ready wit, who was unceasing in his fight to preserve the many wonders of York.
Amongst the items now up for auction are a good selection of leather-bound books, with a focus on York's history, a carved oak bust of St James, possibly French, 17th century, an 18th century ebony veneered table clock by Thomas Parr of London, and an early 19th century staved oak and brass-bound rum barrel. An interesting selection of paintings include a 17th century Portrait of Lady Gertrude Pierpoint by the Studio of Sir Peter Lely and a 17th/18th century Portrait of a Gentleman by the Circle of Charles Jervas.
"A Rosewood and Marquetry Musical Necessaire, late 19th century, of rectangular form with hinged cover with floral panel enclosing a mirror and lift-out tray with various white metal, steel, mother-of-pearl and other accoutrements, on gilt metal bun feet, the cylindrical movement playing on a comb 30cm wide Some veneer losses and repairs. Escutcheon with some loss. All four feet original and intact. Internal mirror badly broken. Box key and winding key lacking. Accoutrements appear intact but some may be replacement. Music box main spring broken. Comb in good order, no teeth lacking."
Auction Details
Autumn Fine Sale (Day One) The Contents of Knavesmire Lodge, 11th Nov, 2022
THE SELECTED CONTENTS OF KNAVESMIRE LODGE, YORK FROM THE ESTATE OF THE LATE MR DARRELL BUTTERY MBE
Darrell Buttery (1941-2022) was an inspiring teacher, a writer, and a champion of the civic heritage of York. This sale offers selected contents of his home, Knavesmire Lodge, a Georgian villa overlooking York Racecourse, and will include furniture, antiques, fine art, and books.
Autumn Fine Sale (Day Two) catalogue British, European & Sporting Art catalogue
A collection of furniture, antiques, fine art, and books belonging to a notable figure of York's cultural and heritage scene are to be sold in a single-owner sale at Tennants Auctioneers. The Selected Contents of Knavesmire Lodge, York from the Estate of the Late Mr Darrell Buttery MBE will be sold on 11th November, Day 1 of Tennants' Autumn Fine Sale.
Darrell Buttery (1941-2022) was an inspiring teacher, a writer, and a champion of the civic heritage of the city he made his home. Born in Guisborough, he first became enthralled with history and heritage at a young age, when visiting York and its churches when his father was the manager of a cinema in the city. After leaving Guisborough Grammar School, Buttery studied English at Durham University before taking up a career in education teaching English Literature.
After his first post at Ashville College in Harrogate, he went on to become the Head of English at Wootton Bassett School before returning to Yorkshire to teach at Nunthorpe Grammar School, Queen Mary's School near Thirsk, and Pocklington School.
Over the decades Buttery built up an extraordinary depth of knowledge of the history of his beloved York. His dedication to preserving the historic sites of the city led him to join and hold positions in numerous cultural organisations, including becoming Chairman and President of the York Civic Trust, Chairman of York Georgian Society, Governor of York's Company of Merchant Adventurers, as well as becoming a Conservative member for Harrogate Borough Council. An engaging public speaker with a sharp wit, he fought vociferously numerous planning applications that would despoil York's important historic sites.
As a collector, he filled his Georgian villa overlooking York Racecourse with art and antiques, seeking out pieces linked with York, and as an author published works including 'The Vanished Buildings of York' (1984), 'Picture of York Minster from 17th Century to the Present' (2007), and the co-authored 'The Streets of York: Four Centuries of Change' (2018).
Darrell Buttery was a deputy lieutenant of North Yorkshire, was appointed MBE in 2018 and is remembered by all who knew him as a deeply kind and courteous man with impeccable manners and a ready wit, who was unceasing in his fight to preserve the many wonders of York.
Amongst the items now up for auction are a good selection of leather-bound books, with a focus on York's history, a carved oak bust of St James, possibly French, 17th century, an 18th century ebony veneered table clock by Thomas Parr of London, and an early 19th century staved oak and brass-bound rum barrel. An interesting selection of paintings include a 17th century Portrait of Lady Gertrude Pierpoint by the Studio of Sir Peter Lely and a 17th/18th century Portrait of a Gentleman by the Circle of Charles Jervas.
The Chalet
A significant part of Jane's childhood, this little chaplet was played and played by her and her siblings and therefore holds a lot of childhood memories.
It plays Le Vieux Chalet (A Small Wooden House)
Several detached pieces of wood
One hinge pin missing
Movement lacking four teeth
It plays Le Vieux Chalet (A Small Wooden House)
Several detached pieces of wood
One hinge pin missing
Movement lacking four teeth
Spot the difference!
Of the 70 or so movements I have in stock, just one is an exact match by the same maker, Cuendet, and in the right size.
I've swapped the combs. Subject to testing, the tune also appears to be same. What chances?
I've swapped the combs. Subject to testing, the tune also appears to be same. What chances?
Saturday 22nd February
Movement dismantled and in the cleaning solution
Some gluing done and setting
Key polished.
Movement dismantled and in the cleaning solution
Some gluing done and setting
Key polished.
Sunday 23rd February
Roof halves glued together (yesterday) then shaped and glued back on and left to set.
Meanwhile the movement was reassembled, tested and adjusted before being reinstated into the box.
On-off control completely replaced 17th April as, on further testing, the original kept sticking.
Job complete.
Roof halves glued together (yesterday) then shaped and glued back on and left to set.
Meanwhile the movement was reassembled, tested and adjusted before being reinstated into the box.
On-off control completely replaced 17th April as, on further testing, the original kept sticking.
Job complete.
Both boxes collected by Jane and her sister on 26th April 2025