ANTIQUE MUSIC BOXES: COLLECTIBLE CYLINDER & ORCHESTRION MUSICAL PLAYERS
M.S. Rau houses an exceptional collection of antique music boxes from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries that captivate history enthusiasts and collectors alike. These rare musical treasures combine awe-inspiring melodies with ornate craftsmanship, representing the pinnacle of mechanical artistry and acoustic engineering.
Historical Excellence and Swiss Craftsmanship
Many early music boxes were handcrafted by watch and clockmakers, who possessed the specialized skills to manipulate intricate mechanisms. These artisans sometimes fitted musical mechanisms into snuff boxes, creating portable musical entertainment for the elite. As demand for bigger, deeper sound grew, cabinet makers were commissioned to build ornate housings for larger mechanisms.
Our collection features the world's finest handmade symphonion music boxes from America, Germany and Switzerland, including masterpieces by legendary makers such as Nicole Frères, Paillard of St. Croix, and Le Coultre Frères of Geneva.
Distinguished Categories and Mechanical Innovation
Our collectible selection encompasses Regina disk music boxes, cylinder music boxes, orchestrion musical players and rare automata pieces. Exceptional examples include Grand Format mechanisms with larger-than-average cylinders that play extended, complex medleys of classical overtures by composers including Rossini, Mozart and Auber.
Rare Pièce à Oiseau Chantant music boxes feature singing bird automatons that move to the rhythm while opening their beaks to sing along. These extraordinarily rare Swiss examples demonstrate the sophisticated integration of mechanical music with animated figures, creating captivating entertainment for discerning collectors.
Premium Makers and Provenance
Swiss manufacturers dominated the finest music box production, with Nicole Frères considered the foremost 19th-century maker of rare musical boxes. Paillard, renowned for mechanical innovations including the patented Sublime Harmonie system, developed advanced interchangeable cylinder mechanisms that revolutionized the industry.
Our collection includes triple-signed examples with expertly crafted rosewood and mahogany cabinets, musical inkwells with rotating glass fountains, and orchestrion players featuring integrated drums, triangles and accordions crafted entirely by hand at prestigious manufactories.
Collecting Excellence and Authentication
Whether seeking a unique focal point for interior spaces or expanding dedicated collections, our music boxes offer unparalleled variety and condition. Each piece undergoes comprehensive evaluation by specialists who carefully research and authenticate every mechanism, ensuring exceptional working order and historical accuracy.
These musical antiques seamlessly complement existing collections of musical instruments or serve as standalone treasures that provide both visual beauty and acoustic pleasure. Our 125% guarantee supports every acquisition, providing complete confidence when adding these remarkable examples of mechanical artistry to discerning collections.
