Musical Instruments

One of only a handful ever made, this Double DeLuxe Violano Virtuoso, created by the Mills Novelty Company, is an extremely rare example of American musical automata, featuring not one, but two brilliantly tuned violins. Singled out by the U.S. government in 1909 as one of the eight greatest inventions of the decade when it was introduced at the Alaska Yukon Pacific Exposition, the Mills DeLuxe Violano-Virtuoso stands as one of the most important and incredible musical devices ever made. The “Double Mills,” as it was nicknamed, plays classical, operatic and popular music. It can play on a single or up to 15 nickels and has the ability to run for approximately an hour. It produces exceptional sound with a crisp tonal quality and melodious notes. Housed in a beautiful quarter-sawn oak case, each violin produces 64 notes and is accompanied by a 44-note piano. It is truly rare to find a historical musical mechanism so complete, with such remarkable sound quality and in excellent condition. This particular Violano has been updated with a digital player system that allows song selections to be made over a WiFi connection. This gives the user a choice between digital downloads or traditional paper rolls for added convenience. Perfected and patented in 1912 by Henry K. Sandell, the Violano-Virtuoso was produced in limited quantities until 1929 and could be found in the very finest restaurants, hotels and oceanliners. In fact, the Violano-Virtuoso was one of the few American-made mechanical musical devices to be distributed worldwide to the most exclusive international clientele. The below testimonial was sent to the Mills Company by the Governor of Idaho, aptly describing the incredible music produced by the Violano-Virtuoso. Dear Sir, Have just had the pleasure of listening to your wonderful Automatic Violin and Piano on exhibition at the Government Building here. This marvelous instrument certainly far surpasses anything that I have eve heard in automatic music. The tone and expression of the violin and the piano are so perfect and clear that is really hard to believe but that there is the human hand playing..." Indeed, for the price of a nickel, the Mills Violano...

Nicole Frères. Mystique de Genève. A rare and wonderful music box which when wound will play six different wonderful calming and tranquil tunes. Set into...

This incredible work of art blends the beauty of a painting with the mechanical complexities of both a cylinder music box and an automaton. A clock is integrated within the arched giltwood and gesso frame, and, when activated, this painting quite literally comes alive. As the cylinder mechanism within plays its lovely tune, every character in the farrier's shop becomes animated – from the group of farrier's toiling away at the forge and anvil forming the horseshoes, to the wagging of the charming terrier's tale. This musical automaton picture clock is attributed to Xavier Tharin of Paris who was the preeminent creator of these fantastical "moving pictures", especially this particular scene. His process mixed oil painting and hand-colored lithograph images that were layered starting from the back and into the middle and foreground to craft the complex series of movements throughout the painting. A look inside this particular work reveals the complex mechanism (with the three gongs, pendulum and cylinder components immediately visible) which run the timepiece, the cylinder musical component, plus the multitude of moving elements in the painting -- a truly incredible feat considering the technical prowess to create just one of these devices. Musical picture clocks...

This is a truly wonderful and rather unique piece. We can't find another quite like it. We were told it is from an Edo period Shinto Shrine dedicated to the deity Inari - a popular deity associated with foxes who were known for protecting the annual rice harvest from threatening vermin. In Japanese mythology, foxes are supposed to breathe out flames which are represented by the flame motif at the top of the drum stand...

The Imperial Company music box with one disc, the disc is titled The Geisha. Refinished mahogany case. The player is in working condition with good tone. Late 19th century.

Very interesting lot. From the Aquitania cruise liner. In very good original condition. Aquitania was the third in Cunard Line's grand trio of express liners, preceded by RMS...

Beautiful singing bowl or standing bowl with a mallet and its playing pillow. Handmade of bronze or bell metal and showing the makers hand. It is in wonderful vintage condition with ...

Dutch silver flask in the form of a mandolin with intricate Baroque style decoration, including cranes and a castle among floral arabesques on the front. The reverse depicting a charming scene influenced by Dutch old master genre paintings of two men with two dogs in a fenced yard surrounded by detailed foliage and trees. Complete with a fret and six individual silver wire strings. A tour de force in craftsmanship. No discernible hallmarks. Hinged top reveals a hidden flask...

French Modernist Art Deco piano and bench by Pierre-Paul Montagnac, a variant of the model used in one of the luxe apartments, the Caen, on the great French oceanliner Normandie in 1935. Created in rosewood and sycamore, and carefully and correctly restored, including the fine Erard (#127208) instrument. 56” wide x 60” deep. Documented in numerous sources, including the July 1935 issue of Art et Decoration. Pierre-Paul Montagnac (1883-1961) Born in Saint-Denis, France on 9 May 1883, Pierre-Paul Montagnac was equally talented as a fine artist and a decorative artist. He was educated in both disciplines, studying with Eugene Carriére as well as at the Académie de la Grande Chaumiére, both in Paris. His inaugural exhibition was at the 1912 Salons – and at the 1920 Salon d’Automne he received a traveling scholarship. In 1918 he began working in the firm of André Mare and from 1922 collaborated with Maurice Dufrene at La Maîtrise, the famous design studio of Galeries Lafayette. From 1921 he exhibited at the Salons of la Société des Artistes Décorateurs, Salon des Architectes Modernes, and internationally, in Barcelona and Leipzig. He designed suites on the grand French oceanliners, l’Atlantique, Normandie and Pasteur. At the 1925 Paris International Exposition his work was in a standout class. At the 1937 Exhibition he organized the pavillion of the Artistes Decorateurs and personally won a Grand Prix. For the New York Exhibition in 1938, he was a member of the international jury, organized the group of Decorators, and, as architect, organized the exhibitions of jewelry and perfumes. He became a member of the Society of Modern Architects and executed important and numerous architecture and decorating projects including the luxury apartments on the great French oceanliners l’Atlantique, Pasteur, and Normandie. Vice President and then President of the Societe des Artistes Decorateurs from 1930-1938, he was also President of the Salon d’Automne and Vice President of the Committee of the Exhibition of Arts and Embellishments of Life; member of the steering committee of C.T.I. and Artistic Property, member of the Board of Directors of the Central Union of Decorative Arts. He was also an Officer of the Legion of Honor and received the Cross of War. MONTAGNAC was the son of an engineer and he had a taste for geometry and science that predisposed him to the rigors of architectural laws. Multi-talented, he worked independently as a painter – who had paintings acquired by the French government – while also working in the related fields of architecture and decoration. His work included homes, apartments, galleries, luxury shops, banks and the aforesaid oceanliners. As a designer/decorater, Montagnac had the taste for quality, luxurious furniture, using precious woods, bronze extensions, ivory inlays, mother-of-pearl, metal and coral. He advocated for a resolutely modern style and, free of all pastiches, focused on beautiful cabinetry, the challenges of furniture design, particularly from 1940 to 1945, captured all his attention. The tireless activity of Montagnac, whose varied works are represented in official museums and residences, was also recognized from a professional and social point of view. He was a remarkable organizer, devoted to the cause of art, to the defense of the trade and his colleagues. It was Montagnac who, in 1939, with Anatole de Monzie, took the initiative to found the ENTRAIDE to Artists (which provides support to talented young French artists). MOBILIER ET DECORATION, September/October 1953 ERARD An illustrious piano manufacturer, Sebastien Erard began building superior harpsichords in Paris in the mid-1700s, produced pianos for the French Court, and received a multitude of patents, many of which are still in use in piano manufacturing. Erard pianos were marketed as the finest pianos in the world and were owned by Queen Victoria, Franz Liszt, Chopin, Verdi, Ravel, and Felix Mendelssohn among many others. They continued to enjoy international success well into the 20th century. They were known for their unique sound quality, similar to the American square grand piano...

Footed oval Black Forest jewelry box with floral finials. Stunning piece. Origin: Switzerland, circa 1900 Dimensions: 8" x 5" x 5". Family Owned & Operated Cisco’s Gallery deals ...

Antique Swiss Continental marquetry inlay cylinder music box by A.V. Bornard. Item features interior glass cover, 8 songs, beautiful inlay, runs ...

A collection of 18 framed prints from engravings of musical instruments from the book by Gabinetto Armonico, which was published in 1722. The book had a total of 150 instruments. The...

Unusual bisque porcelain automaton figure Continental, circa 1900 Measures: Height 57cm, width 21cm, depth 21cm This unusual doll takes the form ...

Part of an antique Bronze bell or Cymbal, hand hammered - Tibet - half XIX century - can be hung from the ceiling. CYMBAL is a percussion instrument. Now it is used in many ensembles...

Art Deco Italian figure of a woman dancig with a music instrument. Sculpture of a dancing nude girl. Bronze with a dark green patina. Mounted over a marble base.

This early 19th century Swiss gold vinaigrette has the charming addition of a musical mechanism. The entire box is crafted of 14-karat yellow gold envelo...

Native American Pueblo Indian cottonwood trunk drum - it's old. Pueblo drum made from a hollowed out cottonwood trunk, old milk paint, - this one's been us...

One of the most amazing timepieces we have ever acquired that offers far more than meets the eye, this incredible work of art blends the beauty of a painting with the mechanical complexities of both a cylinder music box and an automaton. While it is clear to see the integrated clock residing within the arched giltwood and gesso frame, when activated, this painting quite literally comes alive. As the cylinder mechanism within plays its lovely tune, every character in the farrier's shop becomes animated – from the group of farrier's toiling away at the forge and anvil forming the horseshoes, to the wagging of the charming terrier's tale. This musical automaton picture clock is attributed to Xavier Tharin of Paris who was the preeminent creator of this fantastical "moving pictures", especially this particular farrier scene. His process mixed oil painting and hand-colored lithograph images that were layered starting from the back, middle and foreground to craft the complex series of movements throughout the painting. A look inside this particular work reveals the complex mechanism (with the three gongs, pendulum and cylinder components immediately visible) which must run the timepiece, the cylinder musical component plus the multitude of moving elements in the painting...a truly incredible feat considering the technical prowess to create just one of these devices. Musical picture clocks...

An extraordinary and rare coin-operated Regina Sublima upright music box crafted by the Regina music box company, one of the most recognized music bo...

Northern Plains parfleche bonnet case with original long fringe. Old smoke from the teepee. Period: circa 1870 Origin: Northern Plains Size: Case 19" ...

This charming musical jewelry and sewing box is a work of sublime artistry. Almost certainly German or Austrian in origin and crafted of deep, ebonized...

Hand-forged dinner triangle, delicate swan head, in the manner of Early Russel Wright designed Iron Works, very reminiscent of the deer andirons.

A Chinese Qing dynasty period leather drum from the 19th century, with turned wood red mallet. Created in China during the Qing dynasty, this round leather drum will make for an exquisite decorative accent in any home. Freestanding, it comes with its wooden mallet...

This special and important Swiss gold music box is chased and engraved with a set of musical instruments surrounded by elaborate swirls of ornate foliage. Embossed with a delightful braided gold design, the two-compartment box features an exquisite oval agate key, which opens a recessed lock in the base of the box. Such a box would have been a prized possession and would have been able to fit neatly into a gentleman’s waistcoat pocket. Ingenious miniature portable devices, musical snuff boxes...

Interesting modernist, cubist handmade wood cello case from the 1900-1920s. Great folk art object with dovetail joinery and replete with old traveling stick...

A New York firm established in 1915. An advertisement of 1916 offered ten models of disc players under the names Symphony, Fraad Jr. and Symphony Jr. (the firm went bankrupt in August 1918). Comes with one Victor record...

Xylophone musical instrument, made of steel and bronze, 19th century.  

A wonderful turn of the century gilt bronze mounted Louis XVI style six-leg Grand Erard piano Beautiful satinwood veneer, bronze mounts, standing on six legs centered by a stretcher. The movement stamped with Erard serial number 93712 and patent stamps, the interior of the case further stamped F. TURBEC/A LEMOINE, and M. BECKER. Erard is the oldest and most prestigious French piano manufacturer. The firm was founded by Sebastian Erard...

This charming antique silver musical box features a singing bird, which appears from an opening oval. The musical box is exquisitely crafted in the shape of a miniature grand piano, ...

Beautiful multifunctional standard music stand adjustable in mahogany ,brass, copper, cast iron, English, Victorian, circa 1850. Measures: 45 x 37 x 71 x 125.

Frederick Weinberg Guitar Illuminating Wall Lamp Sculpture - Wall Hanging, 1950's. Featuring an abstract Black Wire Banjo framework and handle, warm ha...

A very fine early 20th century Louis XV style gilt bronze mounted three-leg Grand Erard piano. By François Linke. Beautiful quarter veneered case inlaid with cartouche panels surmounted by a hinged lid, with great quality pierced foliate bronze mounts running down each leg, finishing off with lion paw feet. Signed F. Linke to the bronze clasp on the side leg, The movement stamped with Erard serial number 97037 and patent stamps, the interior of the case further stamped F. TURBEC/A LEMOINE. Erard is the oldest and most prestigious French piano manufacturer. The firm was founded by Sebastian...

Early African Drum,, Hand made,,Modernist iron stand,, Functional,,amazing sound as well as beautiful sculpture.

A striking 48 inch tall drum from the hill tribes on the border of Thailand and Burma with leather straps and original spotted hide top. A piece with great...

Henry Potter & Co. of West Street, London WC2 A ceremonial sterling silver bugle of military interest, made by the eminent musical instrument makers Henry Potter in 1939. Profusel...

A Victorian oak cased set of five gongs, with beater.

Great decorator piece, strong presence, pictures do no justice. Tanggu drum. The tanggu (堂鼓; pinyin: tánggǔ, pronounced [tʰɑ̌ŋkù]; literally "ceremo...

Francois Linke (1855-1946) A very fine Louis XV style gilt bronze mounted kingwood piano,late 19th century , signed Francois Linke, stamped Joseph-Emmanuel Zwiener, movement by E...

Stylish ceremonial gong with sleek Art Deco ambiance.Crafted with walrus tusks and silvered metal, presented on a Classic mahogany stand. The gong itself i...

This incredible Hupfeld Phonoliszt-Violina Model B music cabinet is among the rarest and most advanced automatic music players of its time. The remarkable machine, crafted by renowned Leipzig firm of Ludwig Hupfeld, is one of the most mechanically complex music players ever made, boasting three self-playing violins accompanied by a self-playing piano. Once made in the 1000s to entertain patrons of upscale hotels, restaurants, and cafes, these extraordinary machines...

Yamaha C7 black lacquer concert grand piano. Yamaha serial number 2442423. The elite assembly of Yamaha C series grand pianos has always been recognized f...

Antique Victor Victrola Oak Table Top Disc Outside Horn Phonograph with Quarter Sawn Oak Case, Circa 1900 Measures - 30.5"h x 25"w x 24"d

A carved Continental wood pocket sundial and compass, with precision carved numbers and a small stringline, 1.5 cm high, 6.5 cm wide, 4.5 cm deep

A fine quality antique music box made by George Bendon of Geneva, Switzerland in c. 1880. The musical movement features 6 engraved bells struck by a delightful array of figurative ...

Great design on this pair of 1980's postmodern JVC bookcase speakers, in perfect working condition made in Japan solid mahogany and cherry wood case.

Antique Edison Standard Cylinder Phonograph in Oak Case Circa 1920 Measures - 12.25"h x 13"w x 9.75"d

Nice Brionvega RR126 radio in teak by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Italy 1960s. RR126 stereo system was designed in 1965 by brothers Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni. Th...

Arvin Model 527 Rhythm Senior Console Radio Bluetooth. The Rhythm Series was introduced in 1936. Some of the most beautiful and uncommon of all the Arvin sets are included in this ...

Dulcephone horn gramophone, c. 1910. Superb grand scale, stunning wooden horn. This is a stunning early 20th Century horn gramophone in outstanding ori...

Radio Cubo Brionvega TS502 Black with knobs, made by Richard Sapper and Marco Zanuso The radio is functional, both with batteries and with electric cable.

Iconic record player and radio by Brionvega. Italy c1965 Dual turntable. Each unit was individually built. This example has a particularly rich sound. ...

Radio fotografo RR126:con giradischi di Achille e Pier Giacomo Castiglioni per Brionvega Italia 1960s. Perfetto e autentico in ogni sua parte .Tutto originale e funzionante .Ho anco...

A 1912, Weber upright piano for sale with a figured, mahogany case. Piano has fluted Doric style piano legs with an urn shaped pedestal. Entire cabinet is inlaid in a variety of woods with stylised Neoclassical motifs and geometric forms. The front panel is inlaid with a central oval and inverted scalloped stringing, surrounded by crossbanded hexagons and circles. The piano fall features stringing in a classical meander. The key escutcheon is surrounded by swagged bellflowers. Swagged bellflowers also adorn the square piano cheeks. The base of the piano fall is inlaid with a scrolling guilloche punctuated with trefoils. The piano top rim is inlaid with crossbanded satinwood with circular inserts. Piano has an eighty-eight keyboard and two pedals. Neoclassicism draws inspiration from the art and culture of classical antiquity. European Neoclassicism began c. 1760 in opposition to the then-dominant Rococo style. Rococo architecture...

Large Carved walnut dinner gong, the frame with carved decoration. Flanked by carved fluted uprights. All raised up on trestle base, with a striker. Dimensions Height 39 Inches Width...

A brass bell created in 1900s France. Small, but immediately noticeable, this brass call bell makes a loud impression even when silent. An impressively...

Midcentury Record Player Brionvega by Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, 1960s.

This is an antique schoolmaster's hand bell. An English, brass and lignum vitae ringer, dating to the early Victorian period, circa 1850. Beautifully patinated hand bell, with dec...

The most iconic “on air” sign warning lights were made by RCA Victor in the 1930s. When radio and television stations were creating live programs, they had...