Burl wood, partly ebonized; various inlays of precious woods, brass and mother of pearl inlays; musical mechanism made of various metals
Presumably Switzerland, circa 1885
8 opera melodies pinned to a changeable chime pin barrel
Rectangular case with hinged lid and beveled corners
Musical mechanism with chime pin barrel and spring drive in wooden box with hinged glazed door
Brass barrel and sound-comb with ‘zither effect’ in lyre form
Crank elevator on the left
Original paper with handwritten melodies on the inside of the cover
Size of the case: 21 x 31 x 86 cm
Good working condition
A functional rare and impressive cylinder music box

The invention of the music box is attributed to the Geneva watchmaker Antoine Favre-Salomon, who, in 1796, fitted a tin can with a musical mechanism comprising a sound-comb and a pin wheel. Subsequently, such musical mechanisms were inserted in the sockets of table clocks, pocket watches, snuff boxes, toilet cases and seal rings. The music boxes, as they are known today, were manufactured from 1820 onwards. The present ‘Mandoline Expressive Zither’ was presumably made around 1885. It features eight opera melodies pinned to a chime pin barrel. A paper with the handwritten melodies is attached to the inside of the cover. The present barrel seems to be number 5 (according to the mark on the barrel), which includes operas by Strauss, Rossini and Verdi.



The music box is in good working condition, showing only light signs of use to the case. Two reeds are missing. The musical mechanism should be overhauled. The dimensions of the case are 21 x 31 x 86 cm. (cko)

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