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Fullotone Gramophone in Chinoiserie finish.

Posted: Thu Dec 12, 2013 1:20 pm
by epigramophone
I have been asked to post some more pictures of this machine, which recently appeared in the Machines section under "Happy Holidays..."

The full story of it's acquisition and restoration was covered in an article which I wrote for the Autumn 2011 edition of the CLPGS magazine "For the Record".

Chinese and Japanese lacquer, known as Chinoiserie in the antiques trade, enjoyed a brief revival in the mid 1920's including use on gramophone cabinets. Such machines were usually made to special order, and cost considerably more than the standard oak or mahogany versions.

My Fullotone came from the home of a titled lady whose main concern was to ensure that it went to a private collector, not a dealer. Soon after acquiring it I received an enquiry from China expressing an interest in purchasing, but it is not for sale.

Where would I find another?

Re: Fullotone Gramophone in Chinoiserie finish.

Posted: Thu Dec 12, 2013 1:24 pm
by OrthoSean
Neat machine! Thanks for sharing!

Sean

Re: Fullotone Gramophone in Chinoiserie finish.

Posted: Thu Dec 12, 2013 5:45 pm
by neilmack
Very handsome!

Is that a Fullotone "Exhibition" soundbox?

cheers,
Neil

Re: Fullotone Gramophone in Chinoiserie finish.

Posted: Thu Dec 12, 2013 11:25 pm
by Orchorsol
Exquisite! What a unique and lucky find.

Re: Fullotone Gramophone in Chinoiserie finish.

Posted: Fri Dec 13, 2013 7:16 am
by epigramophone
neilmack wrote:Very handsome!

Is that a Fullotone "Exhibition" soundbox?

cheers,
Neil
The soundbox is about the size of an Exhibition, and here it is together with a Fullotone record duster :

Re: Fullotone Gramophone in Chinoiserie finish.

Posted: Mon Dec 16, 2013 6:52 pm
by Johnny Smoke
Very, very, nice machine! Thanks for the close up. IT would be interesting to know the original price, but I would imagine that's been lost to history. Regards, Johnyy

Re: Fullotone Gramophone in Chinoiserie finish.

Posted: Tue Dec 17, 2013 4:40 am
by epigramophone
Johnny Smoke wrote:Very, very, nice machine! Thanks for the close up. IT would be interesting to know the original price, but I would imagine that's been lost to history. Regards, Johnyy
A history of the company including a later machine catalogue can be viewed on Ian Calderbank's excellent website www.gramophones.info (click on Gramophones - Help and Advice), but no Chinoiserie machines are catalogued as they tended to be "one-offs" made to special order.