Just guessing, really, but I think that I have a much simplified version. It has 6 tubular brass "bells" of different lengths and a central drop-shaped thingamabob with a circular flange near the top. Yours is more complex, with the sound holes, strike plates and probably differently positioned plugs inside each tube to alter the tones. What is the average tube length and overall size?
Mine is portable, with a pillar to hold it, and a small umbrella-shaped disk to which the tubes are attached by short thongs.
In the 19th C, a servant would carry one of these around hotel corridors or grounds and lobby, playing a tune to alert the guests to meals, tea, morning coffee, etc. I think the practice was most common in posh Asian hotels for foreigners, but the practice may have been more widespread.
I paid $10 for my very simple one years ago (impulse at an auction), but a dealer probably would ask $150 or so now.
About the xylophone. Some of these little portable buggars are downright expensive. Look at the label, then check prices at a dealer or on the internet music stores. Could be worth a lot more than $200.
I presume that the police check the shop for stolen stuff. Here, if you have doubts about an expensive instrument, the police will check it for you (if they don't have an arrangement with the shop owner already for regular checks).
Kat, Let me know more about it if I have twisted off onto the wrong gadget here.