What is a Polyphon music box?

A Polyphon music box is a wooden box that plays small interchangeable metal discs. Polyphon Musikwerke invented the device in 1870 and began producing them for sale in 1897 in Leipzig, Germany. Find a variety of Polyphon music boxes on 1stDibs.

What is the box that plays music?

The box that plays music is called a music box in the U.S. and a musical box in the UK. Early versions date back to the 19th century, and many of them came from factories located in Switzerland. Shop a large selection of antique and vintage music boxes on 1stDibs.

Are music boxes rare?

It depends on the make and model of the music box. To find the value of a music box, experts suggest that you work with a certified appraiser. The value of a music box will depend on a number of factors, including the shape it’s in. You’ll find expertly vetted music boxes on 1stDibs.

What is the best music box?

The best music box for you depends on your preferences for design, size, and music. Music boxes may be intricately carved or brightly-colored, and contain musical themes from famous plays or films. Music boxes can also be musical boxes designed to hold jewelry or other trinkets.

When was the first music box made?

The first music box was likely made in Switzerland around the end of the 18th century. Originally, most music boxes were quite small, but as time went on, larger versions developed. Shop a collection of antique and modern music boxes from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

How does a Regina music box work?

Regina music boxes have musical information carefully stored on a metal disc. A Regina music box works when the holes in the disc engage with the teeth of a gear that leads to the plucking of a musical comb generating a pleasant sound.

Are music boxes still made?

Yes, music boxes are still made today. A number of artisans continue to produce music boxes by hand. Companies may also mass produce music boxes using machinery. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of music boxes from some of the world’s top sellers.

What is an old music box called?

An old music box made from snuff boxes during the 18th century is called a carillons à musique. It is a French word meaning "chimes of music." You'll find a selection of antique music boxes from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

What is a Japanese puzzle box?

A Japanese puzzle box, called himitsu-bako, are wooden boxes which keep items safe from theft through an intricate mechanical pattern. These boxes require specific steps moving the mechanism to release the obscured lid, opening to reveal the cavity within.

How do I clean a Japanese lacquer box?

To clean a Japanese lacquer box, start by moistening a soft lint-free cloth with warm water. Ring it out and then gently rub every surface. Do not use soap as it may damage the lacquer. Dry the box promptly with a second soft, dry lint-free cloth. On 1stDibs, find a variety of Japanese lacquer boxes.

Which object in a Japanese writing box was considered the most precious and permanent?

The inkstone was the most precious and permanent object in a Japanese writing set. It is a mortar used for mixing dry ink with water for the purposes of writing. You'll find a selection of Japanese writing boxes on 1stDibs.

Japanese Music Box

Elephant Box

Wooden Cigarette Box

Mid Century Modern Barware Black And Gold

Figurines Japan

Velvet Lined Boxes

Japan Cigarette

Vintage Cigarette Dispenser

Midcentury Portable Bar

Japanese Wooden Music Box 1964s Für Elise

$280

H 6.5 in W 8.27 in D 4.73 in

Japanese Wooden Music Box 1964s Für Elise

Located in Paris, FR

This is a music box which was made in Japan in 1964s (Showa 39). The music is Für Elise. If you

Category

Vintage 1960s Japanese Showa Musical Instruments

Materials

Wood

Japanese Lladro Style Figurines White Porcelain Music Boxes and Decorative Tree

$400Sale Price / set|20% Off

H 8.5 in W 6.38 in D 3.38 in

Japanese Lladro Style Figurines White Porcelain Music Boxes and Decorative Tree

By Lladro

Located in Miami, FL

A wonderful vintage set of porcelain figurines of two Japanese ladies both of which are music boxes

Category

20th Century Japanese Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

Schmid Walt Disney Pinocchio Music Box

$300

H 6 in W 5.5 in D 4 in

Schmid Walt Disney Pinocchio Music Box

By Schmid

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Vintage Schmid Walt Disney jointed Pinocchio music box that plays The Entertainer / Made in Japan

Category

20th Century Japanese Toys and Dolls

Materials

Ceramic

Vintage Rolls Royce Automobile Music Box and Decanter

$525

H 7 in W 16.5 in D 6.25 in

Vintage Rolls Royce Automobile Music Box and Decanter

Located in San Diego, CA

A highly decorative mid-20th-century novelty music box decanter crafted in the form of a classic

Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Metal

Vintage Rolls Royce Automobile Music Box and Decanter

$375

H 7 in W 16.5 in D 6.25 in

Vintage Rolls Royce Automobile Music Box and Decanter

Located in San Diego, CA

A highly decorative mid-20th-century novelty music box decanter crafted in the form of a classic

Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Metal

Sankyo Glazed Ceramic Hobo Figurine Music Box "How Dry I Am" , Winding

$65

H 13.5 in Dm 4 in

Sankyo Glazed Ceramic Hobo Figurine Music Box "How Dry I Am" , Winding

Located in Miami, FL

1970s Sankyo Japanese glazed ceramic hobo figure winding music box which plays the song "How Dry I Am

Category

Late 20th Century Japanese Musical Instruments

Materials

Metal

Recent Sales

Japanese Export Mid-Century Modern Chrome Banjo Figural Decanter and Music Box

Unavailable

H 13 in W 6 in D 2.5 in

Japanese Export Mid-Century Modern Chrome Banjo Figural Decanter and Music Box

Located in Port Hope, ON

This fabulous Japanese export Mid-Century Modern chrome and black enamel banjo figural decanter

Category

Vintage 1950s Japanese Barware

Materials

Chrome

Fantastic Musical Accordian Portable Bar

Unavailable

H 12 in W 11.5 in D 3.5 in

Fantastic Musical Accordian Portable Bar

Located in Mount Penn, PA

in Japan. You can wind the music box on the bottom of the accordian which will play 'how dry i am

Category

Vintage 1960s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Barware

1950s Japanese Carved Wood Music Box Cigarette Dispenser w/ Dog

Sold

H 4.5 in W 4.5 in D 4.5 in

1950s Japanese Carved Wood Music Box Cigarette Dispenser w/ Dog

Located in Van Nuys, CA

A vintage wind-up music box dog cigarette dispenser is a charming and nostalgic item from the past

Category

Vintage 1950s Snuff Boxes and Tobacco Boxes

Materials

Wood

Japanese 9 Drawer Jewelry /Storage Music Box

Sold

H 9 in W 16 in D 6.6 in

Japanese 9 Drawer Jewelry /Storage Music Box

Located in Douglas Manor, NY

3-651 Japanese wood storage box with velvet lined drawers, Music box on bottom.

Category

Vintage 1950s Jewelry Boxes

Materials

Hardwood

Japanese Vintage Silk Covered Jewlery /Music Box 1950's

Sold

H 4 in W 10.75 in D 4 in

Japanese Vintage Silk Covered Jewlery /Music Box 1950's

Located in Douglas Manor, NY

1574 Vintage Japanese Fabric covered wood jewlery /music box Make Made in Japan Music mechanism in

Category

Vintage 1950s Asian Jewelry Boxes

Materials

Textile, Boxwood

Rare Midcentury Elephant Music Box from Japan

Sold

H 4.5 in W 5 in D 3 in

Rare Midcentury Elephant Music Box from Japan

Located in San Diego, CA

Beautifully gilded metal with patina music box in the shape of an elephant. This unique music box

Category

Vintage 1950s Japanese Chinoiserie Animal Sculptures

Materials

Metal

Vintage Mid Century Fire Extinguisher Cocktail Shaker from Japan

Sold

H 12 in W 4 in D 4 in

Vintage Mid Century Fire Extinguisher Cocktail Shaker from Japan

By Jonathan Adler

Located in San Diego, CA

as a music box which plays “How Dry I Am” adds cool and chic to your bar. This whimsical piece is

Category

Vintage 1960s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Barware

Materials

Brass

Adorable 60's Jewelled Enamel Music Box/ Lighter

Sold

H 5.5 in Dm 3.5 in

Adorable 60's Jewelled Enamel Music Box/ Lighter

Located in North Miami, FL

music box plays "Around the World in 80 Days". Pop open the globe's top to reveal the lighter inside

Category

Vintage 1960s Japanese Boxes

Materials

Aluminum, Enamel

Wooden House Cigarette Holder Music Box

Sold

H 6 in W 6.75 in D 5 in

Wooden House Cigarette Holder Music Box

Located in Richmond, VA

Vintage, wooden music box cigarette holder in a whimsical house design. Box is hand wound and

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

Whimsical Japanese Cigarette Dispenser/Music Box/Lighter

Sold

H 14.5 in

Whimsical Japanese Cigarette Dispenser/Music Box/Lighter

Located in Easton, PA

removable as a cigarette lighter. Made in Japan. WEEKLY DELIVERIES TO MANHATTAN FOR APPROVAL

Category

Vintage 1950s Japanese Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

People Also Browsed

Birds a Collection of 25 Bird Figures and Music Boxes

$2,800 / set

H 8 in W 3 in D 3 in

Birds a Collection of 25 Bird Figures and Music Boxes

Located in New York, NY

A lifetime collection of birds. A set of 25 some made of porcelain some carved from wood or resin. Of the 25 of them 5 are music boxes. I actually think it's quite charming. Siz...

Category

Late 20th Century Animal Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain, Resin, Wood

Limited Edition Disney "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" Book with Serigraphs

$450Sale Price|21% Off

H 11 in W 14 in D 2 in

Limited Edition Disney "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" Book with Serigraphs

By Walt Disney Productions

Located in San Diego, CA

Hard to find limited edition Disney "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" book with four serigraphs, circa 1978. This book is #2230 of #9500 distributed worldwide and is lavishly illustr...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Books

Materials

Paper, Leather

Walt Disney Mickey Mouse Cookie Jar

$140Sale Price|20% Off

H 12.5 in W 12.5 in D 10 in

Walt Disney Mickey Mouse Cookie Jar

Located in Guaynabo, PR

This is a Walt Disney, Mickey Mouse Cookie Jar. It depicts a hand painted glazed ceramic cookie jar shaped as a seated smiling Mickey Mouse. Below the base is hallmarked Mexico.

Category

20th Century Mexican Modern Jars

Materials

Ceramic

Complete "101 Dalmatians" Collectors Box by McDonalds / Disney, 1990s

$1,637 / set

H 17.13 in W 16.93 in D 9.45 in

Complete "101 Dalmatians" Collectors Box by McDonalds / Disney, 1990s

By Disney Studios

Located in Barcelona, ES

Complete limited edition "101 Dalmatians" collector box, toys that were issued for McDonald's "Happy Meal" between November 1996 and January 1997. The toys have never been played wit...

Category

Late 20th Century American Toys and Dolls

Materials

Plastic

Automaton Clock And Music Box House

$24,850

H 28.13 in W 26.25 in D 15.56 in

Automaton Clock And Music Box House

By Geneva Clock Co.

Located in New Orleans, LA

This artful and unique automaton clock and music box house proudly bears the signature of Geneva, a hallmark of unparalleled horological excellence. For generations, Geneva has seaml...

Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Wood

Walt Disney's Donald Duck. The Ultimate History. Limited Edition book & prints

$650 / item

H 15.56 in W 11.42 in D 3.94 in

Walt Disney's Donald Duck. The Ultimate History. Limited Edition book & prints

By TASCHEN, Walt Disney, Carl Barks

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Nothing succeeds like success, as the saying goes, but in the case of Donald Duck the opposite is true: the candor with which Donald reveals his weaknesses wins our hearts and stays ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Books

Materials

Aluminum

Hand-Painted Commedia Dell'arte Harlequin Doll, Italy, 20th Century

$770

H 24 in W 12 in D 7 in

Hand-Painted Commedia Dell'arte Harlequin Doll, Italy, 20th Century

Located in Toronto, CA

This is an irresistible Italian doll of the classic Commedia Dell'arte figure the Harlequin, or Arlecchino, as he is known in Italian. Probably made in Venice, last quarter of the 20...

Category

Late 20th Century Italian Renaissance Toys and Dolls

Materials

Fabric, Paper

Antique Pinocchio Doll by Knickerbocker Toy Co.

$340Sale Price|20% Off

H 9.75 in W 4.75 in D 4 in

Antique Pinocchio Doll by Knickerbocker Toy Co.

Located in San Diego, CA

A vintage composition Pinocchio doll by Knickerbocker Toy company, likely from the 1930s. The doll’s back is embossed with “Pinocchio - W.D. PR KNT CO - Copyright U.S.A.” The composi...

Category

Early 20th Century American Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Composition

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Japanese Music Box For Sale on 1stDibs

Choose from an assortment of styles, material and more with respect to the Japanese music box you’re looking for at 1stDibs. Frequently made of fabric, wood and metal, every Japanese music box was constructed with great care. Find 21 options for an antique or vintage Japanese music box now, or shop our selection of 1 modern versions for a more contemporary example of this long-cherished piece. Whether you’re looking for an older or newer Japanese music box, there are earlier versions available from the 18th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 21st Century. A Japanese music box is a generally popular piece of furniture, but those created in Baroque, mid-century modern and modern styles are sought with frequency. Many designers have produced at least one well-made Japanese music box over the years, but those crafted by Louis Vincent Fouquet and Phaidon are often thought to be among the most beautiful.

How Much is a Japanese Music Box?

A Japanese music box can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price 1stDibs is $1,880, while the lowest priced sells for $275 and the highest can go for as much as $47,500.