Interesting machine in Australia

[estott]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antque-phonogra ... 19ce198cff

I think this one must be a one-off from a decent home craftsman. The workmanship looks good but I don't know what the designer could have been thinking...or drinking.

[David Spanovich]

... I don't know what the designer could have been thinking...or drinking.

Designed for conjoined twins?

[Henry]

Anticipating stereo?

[Phototone]

Its a cross between a low-boy and a console and a library desk. Wonder what is under the left lid?

[gramophoneshane]

but I don't know what the designer could have been thinking...or drinking.

He was probably thinking he'd losely base the design on a regency/Georgian period pedestal sideboard, and it would have been made by a furniture retailer or cabinet maker as part of a matching dining suite.
Similar gramophones turn up now and then over here, so they must have sold reasonable well. I saw a much nicer one in Australian red cedar that was 7' wide about 25 years ago, but unfortunately the gramophone mechanism had been removed, & the dealer wanted $700 for it, so it stayed in the shop until the shop closed down.
If the ebay example had been made by Rosenstengel, Bell Bro's or Hicks, it'd be worth it's weight in gold!