Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 11

Antique Marquetry Wood Music Box by Langdorff & Fils

About the Item

Antique marquetry wood music box by Langdorff & Fils Swiss, Late 19th Century Height 31cm, width 68cm, depth 35cm Crafted in the late 19th century, this exquisite music box was produced by Langdorff & Fils, a distinguished Swiss manufacturer known for their fine music boxes. Operating in Geneva from 1850 to 1870, the company was highly regarded for its exceptional craftsmanship. This particular example was imported into England by Wales & McCulloch, a well-known retailer of music boxes. The mechanism is encased in a rectangular wooden box with elevated sides, beautifully adorned with intricate marquetry and string banding, skilfully crafted from premium woods. A horn, surrounded by detailed foliage, is surrounded by ebonised wood background, with symmetrical, scrolling patterns encircling the circular panel. The lid of the box features a similar design, creating a harmonious aesthetic. Gilt metal handles, elegantly shaped, are attached to the sides, and the piece rests on a sleek ebonised wood plinth. When opened, the music mechanism is revealed and can be activated via a lever on the left side. Typical of the era, the box utilises a rotating pinned cylinder to produce melodies. As the cylinder turns, pins pluck the teeth of a metal comb, creating sound. Once a melody ends, the cylinder shifts slightly, aligning a fresh set of pins with the comb to produce another song. This ingenious design allows the box to seamlessly play a variety of tunes with a single cylinder. A charming detail of this music box is the paper label affixed to the inside of the lid. Framed by a printed classical design, the label lists the melodies the box plays, including pieces by celebrated composers such as Johann Strauss (1825–1899). This remarkable music box, blending refined craftsmanship and rich musical history, would make a perfect gift for anyone passionate about classical music.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 12.21 in (31 cm)Width: 26.78 in (68 cm)Depth: 13.78 in (35 cm)
  • Style:
    Belle Époque (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    Late 19th Century
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    London, GB
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: 173361stDibs: LU956342809922

More From This Seller

View All
Antique Parquetry Wood Music Box by Nicole Frères
By Nicole Frères
Located in London, GB
Antique parquetry wood music box by Nicole Frères Swiss, Late 19th Century Height 24cm, width 87cm, depth 35cm This exquisite antique is a late 19th-century music box, meticulously...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Swiss Belle Époque Musical Instruments

Materials

Metal

Marquetry Wooden Music Box by Nicole Frères
By Nicole Frères
Located in London, GB
Marquetry wooden music box by Nicole Frères Swiss, Late 19th Century Height 14cm, width 64cm, depth 19cm This elegant wooden music box is a fine example of 19th-century craftsmanshi...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Swiss Musical Instruments

Materials

Metal

Antique German Silver Music Box in the Form of a Grand Piano
Located in London, GB
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, ...
Category

Antique 19th Century German Models and Miniatures

Materials

Silver

Antique Gilt-Bronze Clock and Barometer Set by Maison Mottheau et Fils
By Maison Mottheau et Fils
Located in London, GB
Antique gilt-bronze clock and barometer set by Maison Mottheau et Fils French, c. 1880 Height 85cm, width 45cm, depth 30cm This ornamental clock and barometer set were crafted by th...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Scientific Instruments

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

Very Large Antique Victorian Brass Lobster-Form Box
Located in London, GB
A very large antique Victorian brass lobster-form box. English, Late 19th Century. Measures: Height 34cm, width 91cm, depth 41cm. This exceptional piece is a remarkably large brass box...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Animal Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Basket Weave Design 18k Gold Cigarette Box
Located in London, GB
Basket weave design 18k gold cigarette box Continental, Early 20th century Height 1.5cm, width 9cm, depth 6.5cm This elegant cigarette box...
Category

Early 20th Century European Belle Époque Tobacco Accessories

Materials

Gold

You May Also Like

Antique Swiss 10 Air Musical Box Langdorff & Fils 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a lovely antique Swiss 10 airs Gonçalo Alves cylinder music box, manufactured by Langdorff & Fils, circa 1880. The case is inlaid and crossbanded with floral marquetry and banded decoration. The lid opens to reveal an ebonised interior with a glazed hinged cover showing the comb, and a paper label to the underside of the lid stating 'Fabrique De Geneve' Langdorff & Fils, Fabricants The music box has got its original tune sheet which is stamped: "No 24017 Fabrique de Geneve" and lists the ten tunes and composers. Condition: It is is in excellent condition and in working order. Dimensions in cm: Height 18 cm x Width 69 cm x Depth 27 cm Dimensions in inches: Height 7 inches x Width 2 foot, 3 inches x Depth 11 inches Music box (also musical box) is a 19th/20th century automatic musical instrument that produces sounds by the use of a set of pins placed on a revolving cylinder or disc so as to pluck the tuned teeth (or lamellae) of a steel comb. They were developed from musical snuff boxes of the 18th century and called carillons à musique...
Category

Antique 1880s Swiss Musical Instruments

Materials

Other

Antique Swiss Music Box, circa 1890
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique Swiss Music Box circa 1890.
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Swiss Musical Instruments

Materials

Mahogany

Antique 6 Bell Fortissimo Music Box by J Manger & Co, c. 1885
Located in London, GB
An excellent-sounding Fortissimo 6 bell antique music box made by J. Manger & Co. of Geneva, Switzerland in c. 1885. The fully serviced musical movemen...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Swiss Late Victorian Musical Instruments

Materials

Brass, Steel

Antique 6 Bell and Drum Music Box by Charles Lecoultre, c. 1870
Located in London, GB
A magnificent quality six bell and drum cylinder music box made by Charles Lecoultre of Geneva, Switzerland in c. 1870. The fully serviced musical movement features a central drum an...
Category

Antique 1870s Swiss Victorian Musical Instruments

Materials

Brass, Steel

Antique Swiss 8-Tune Cylinder Music Box C1890
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique Swiss 8 Tune Cylinder Music Box Unsigned C1890 4 3/4" x 14 1/4" x 7 1/8". This antique Swiss music box from circa 1890 features a beautifully crafted wooden case with a subt...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Musical Instruments

Materials

Wood

Antique 6 Bell Music Box with Enamel Bee Strikers by Karrer, c. 1875
Located in London, GB
A lovely quality antique music box made by Karrer of Geneva, Switzerland in c. 1875. The fully serviced musical movement features a highly attractive arrangement of 6 individually e...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Swiss Late Victorian Musical Instruments

Materials

Brass, Steel

Recently Viewed

View All