A characterful antique mechanical metronome, likely French and dating from the late 19th or early 20th century. The traditional pyramidal wooden case retains its original brass maker’s plaque, marked for Maelzel, Paris.

The front cover lifts away to reveal the pendulum mechanism and printed tempo scale, with Italian musical directions including Largo, Larghetto, Adagio, Andante and Allegro. The sliding weight allows the beat to be adjusted for different tempos.

The metronome is in working order, with the mechanism winding and the pendulum beating. It has not been tested for precise professional calibration.

There is general age-related wear, including scratches, rubbing, dark marks and small knocks to the wooden case. The removable front cover does not sit completely flush with the body due to some damage around the points where the locating pins fit into the case. This does not prevent the metronome from being displayed or operated, but is clearly reflected in the photographs.

Measures approximately 22 cm / 8.7 inches tall.