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Swiss Station Cylinder Music Box
- This Swiss station music box is a marvelous specimen of Swiss mechanical artistry
- "Station" references its use in entertaining guests in public venues, such as train stations
- This particular box features tiny dancers twirling along with the music as it plays
- Get complete item description here
$29,850
Item No.
30-7460
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Description
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. . .
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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.
Circa 1890
33 1/8" wide x 16 7/8" deep x 31 1/2" high
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.
Circa 1890
33 1/8" wide x 16 7/8" deep x 31 1/2" high
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Specifications
| Period: | 19th Century |
| Origin: | Switzerland |
| Type: | Cylinder Music Boxes |
| Depth: | 16.88 in. (42.86 cm) |
| Width: | 33.13 in. (84.14 cm) |
| Height: | 31.5 in. (80.01 cm) |
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THE EVOLUTION OF THE MARVELOUS MUSIC BOX: WHEN WAS THE MUSIC BOX INVENTED?
Read MoreBuy With Confidence
For over a century, we've placed important art, rare jewels and exceptional objects with more than 14,000 collectors worldwide, and have been recognized by trusted publications including Robb Report, The New York Times, Wall Street Journal and more.
On Approval
Examine select works in person before you commit
125% Guarantee
Full credit plus 5% annual appreciation for five years
Trusted Expertise
Over two centuries of combined experience across our specialists
