Items Similar to Hupfeld Phonoliszt-Violina Model B Music Cabinet
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 6
Hupfeld Phonoliszt-Violina Model B Music Cabinet
$498,500
£370,799.71
€434,133.21
CA$695,576.79
A$778,369.94
CHF 406,428.21
MX$9,569,248.28
NOK 5,127,560.46
SEK 4,825,009.12
DKK 3,238,966.61
Shipping
Retrieving quote...The 1stDibs Promise:
Authenticity Guarantee,
Money-Back Guarantee,
24-Hour Cancellation
About the Item
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 have become increasingly rare, and only 63 still exist today.
A large step above the popular mechanical piano of the day, the Phonoliszt-Violina was quite expensive to produce, and therefore was only available to the most exclusive clientele. The need for its expense is evident when considering the astonishing complexity of the instrument. Three violins playing strings tuned to D, A and E are bowed by a circular 1,350-strand horsehair bow cage, while a cross-strung Rönisch pianoforte accompanies the strings. Remarkably, both the piano and the violins are dynamic, allowing for a previously unheard of range of volume and tone. From the most delicate pianissimo to a crashing fortissimo, this unparalleled instrument has the ability to render musical pieces with all of the skill and vigor of a real musician. Over 900 rolls of music were created for the Phonoliszt-Violina over the decades, of which 50 rolls are included with the present machine.
The firm of Ludwig Hupfeld was established in Leipzig in 1892, when Ludwig Hupfeld, an accomplished musician, mechanic and businessman, acquired the musical instrument manufacturers J.M. Grob & Co. The firm quickly rose in popularity as its mechanical instruments grew more and more complex - products made by the firm included various piano-playing machine and orchestrions. The idea of creating an automatic violin came to Hupfeld in 1900 and by 1907 the firm displayed the “Klavier mit Streichton,” or piano with string tone, at the Leipzig Autumn Trade Fair. At the Brussels World’s Fair of 1910, a Photoliszt Violina was received with great acclaim and earned a medal and renowned violinist Ephrem Zimbalist called the instrument “the wonder and marvel of our time."
- Dimensions:Height: 106 in (269.24 cm)Width: 75 in (190.5 cm)Depth: 32 in (81.28 cm)
- Style:Other (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1910
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. General upkeep and maintenance.
- Seller Location:New Orleans, LA
- Reference Number:Seller: 29-90911stDibs: LU89114440903
About the Seller
5.0
Recognized Seller
These prestigious sellers are industry leaders and represent the highest echelon for item quality and design.
Established in 1912
1stDibs seller since 2010
107 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 4 hours
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: New Orleans, LA
- Return Policy
Authenticity Guarantee
In the unlikely event there’s an issue with an item’s authenticity, contact us within 1 year for a full refund. DetailsMoney-Back Guarantee
If your item is not as described, is damaged in transit, or does not arrive, contact us within 7 days for a full refund. Details24-Hour Cancellation
You have a 24-hour grace period in which to reconsider your purchase, with no questions asked.Vetted Professional Sellers
Our world-class sellers must adhere to strict standards for service and quality, maintaining the integrity of our listings.Price-Match Guarantee
If you find that a seller listed the same item for a lower price elsewhere, we’ll match it.Trusted Global Delivery
Our best-in-class carrier network provides specialized shipping options worldwide, including custom delivery.More From This Seller
View All19th Century Dutch Bureau Bookcase
Located in New Orleans, LA
This magnificent and important Dutch mahogany bureau bookcase, exuberantly carved and adorned with superb figural carvings, impressive scrolled feet and elaborate applied decoration....
Category
Antique 19th Century Dutch Other Bookcases
Materials
Mahogany
The Mills Double Deluxe Violano Virtuoso
By Mills Novelty Company
Located in New Orleans, LA
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...
Category
20th Century North American Art Deco Musical Instruments
Materials
Wood
Swiss Station Cylinder Music Box
Located in New Orleans, LA
Tiny dancers twirl to the melodious tunes produced by this Swiss station cylinder music box. The cylinder is joined by a drum and bells that give richness and depth to the wonderful music the box creates. Music boxes were at the height of fashion in the late 19th century and served as a status symbol for the European gentry. Switzerland was the birthplace of cylinder music boxes and home to the great majority of the most renowned manufacturers. This example, in its finely crafted English walnut case, boasts two combs, allowing the box to play in harmony for a richer, more complex song.
This particular style, commonly referred to as a “station” or “showcase” box, was used to entertain guests in hotel lobbies, train stations and other similar public places, and as such would have been coin-operated. This example, however, does not accept coins. This, combined with its overall quality, complexity and beauty, indicates it was made for a private household of significant means. Today, these ingenious musical masterpieces are highly sought-after by collectors of musical automata...
Category
Antique 19th Century Swiss Other Musical Instruments
Materials
Brass
Polyphon Autochange Disk Music Box
Located in New Orleans, LA
As exceptionally scarce as it is fascinating, this autochange disk player by the Polyphon Musikwerke in Leipzig, Germany can change between six disks and play with the incredibly rare addition of bells that accompany the music. Before a coin is dropped into the slot, slide the brass indicator until it points to the desired music selection, insert a penny, and the chosen song will play automatically. An extremely limited number of these automatic disk changers were ever created, and even fewer have survived in such outstanding condition.
Standing over seven feet tall, this particular model boasts a magnificent walnut case with handsome burl panels on its original, matching storage cabinet. A true technical marvel for its day, Polyphon’s automatic disk changer symbolizes pure ingenuity and superlative craftsmanship. This antique player...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century German Other Musical Instruments
Materials
Brass
Regina Upright Music Box
By Regina Company
Located in New Orleans, LA
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...
Category
Antique 19th Century American Other Musical Instruments
Materials
Oak
$38,500
Mermod Fréres Station Cylinder Music Box
By Mermod Frères 1
Located in New Orleans, LA
This exceptionally wonderful and rare automaton cylinder musical box by the Mermod Fréres firm of Sainte-Croix, Switzerland is a marvel of musical crafts...
Category
Antique 19th Century Swiss Other Musical Instruments
Materials
Walnut
You May Also Like
20th Century Automathic Piano-Pianola from France
Located in Vulpellac, Girona
20th Century Luché "ELCE" mechanical piano, France.
Roller and crank in perfect working condition.
Category
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Musical Instruments
Materials
Wood
$11,468 Sale Price
20% Off
Upright piano. Towards the beginning of the 20th century.
Located in Madrid, ES
Upright piano. Towards the beginning of the 20th century.
Upright or wall piano with a wooden body with marquetry elements on the central panel of the uppe...
Category
20th Century European Other Musical Instruments
Materials
Other
19th Century American Music Cabinet
Located in Water Mill, NY
19th century American sheet music cabinet with brass hardware.
Category
Antique Late 19th Century North American Music Stands
Materials
Brass
Piano " Offberg " 20th Century
By Europa
Located in Madrid, ES
Piano " Offberg " 20th century
150cm x 100cm x 55cm
walnut wood
good condition
Category
20th Century German Modern Musical Instruments
Materials
Walnut
Piano Sponnagel Circa 1900 With Its Seat
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Sponnagel piano circa 1900 with its seat
Very beautiful work of sculpture and beautiful work of wooden marquetry
Very beautiful patina and in very good condition
The piano is in wo...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Polish Aesthetic Movement Musical Instruments
Materials
Wood
English Gothic Style Ibach Upright Piano Carved Oak Traditional Folk Art Motifs
Located in Leeds, GB
English Gothic style, 1895, Ibach upright piano with a carved, oak case and ornate brass candlesticks and handles. Cabinet features traditional folk art motifs and carvings.
Pilasters carved with hearts and stylised trees. Piano cheeks feature a carved sun in a half hex and stylised bird in flight.
Front panel inlaid with folk elements including trinity tulips symbolising faith, hope and charity in a central urn with stylised foliage.
Piano legs are turned with carved spiraling detail .
Piano pedals feature a raised, ornate brass footplate in a curlicue design.
Repeating, carved barrel vaults...
Category
Antique Early 19th Century German Gothic Revival Musical Instruments
Materials
Brass
More Ways To Browse
Victor Gramophone
Vintage Bang And Olufsen Beomaster
Vintage Crosley Tube Radio
Vintage Drum Corps
Vintage Eko Electric Guitars
Vintage Karl Griesbaum Singing Bird Automaton
Vintage Lloyds Speakers
Vintage Vox Electric Guitars
Walter Cave Piano
Weber Upright Piano
Wurlitzer Piano
Wurlitzer Speaker
Yamaha Grand Piano
Zenith Tv
1229 Turntable
1939 Zenith Radio
Aeolian Piano
Ami Jukebox