Sublime Harmonie Music Box

Dutch Street Organ Music Box Late 19th Century This delightful music box takes the shape of a barrel organ or street organ, known as draaiorgel in Dutch. It is designed as a miniature version of the larger street organs that were seen throughout the Netherlands during the 19th and early 20th centuries. The music box demonstrates exquisite craftsmanship. The main facade features an ornate white background with carved wooden scrollwork, gilded accents, hand-painted maidens and intricate metal flowers. The upper section includes a set of display pipes with a figure in a red jacket positioned in front. The lower panel incorporates delicate blue and gold fretwork designs. A figure of an organ grinder wearing traditional Dutch attire with a cap and red scarf stands to the right of the organ. These miniature musical organs were created to bring the beloved street entertainment tradition into the home through the innovative mechanical mechanism capable of starting, stopping and changing tunes at the flip of the switch. The music box stands...

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...

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...

This exceptionally wonderful and rare automaton cylinder musical box by the Mermod Fréres firm of Sainte-Croix, Switzerland is a marvel of musical crafts...

French Victorian black lacquered and bronze trimmed 6 sided cigar holder with music box at base. 52/54 ring gauge, 6.25 length. *One door does no open aut...

Exceptional and Rare Symphonion Music Box. This stunning and highly rare Symphonion music box is a true masterpiece, famously known as the “Symphonion Eroica”. Its unique mechanism p...

Antique Regina Disc Changing Music Box, Oak, 66.5"H Item: Upright Music Box Maker: Regina Age: 1890's Style: 8A Cabinet Material: Oak Color: Clear Number of Disc: 17 Dimensions: 66.5...

Antique Swiss Music Box circa 1890.