Details
Image(s)
TitleChildren’s Chair with Cylinder Movement
Creatorunknown
PlaceBlack Forrest (Germany)
Year ca. 1895
Object number0131
Object categorymechanical instruments with playing comb, music boxes
Object namemusic box with cylinder
DescriptionThe musical movement is wound up by means of a key. As soon as someone sits on the chair, the playing mechanism is activated, and the music starts playing. The playing work stops as soon as the melody is finished (unless you stay seated of course - then it starts again).
Accompanying textsThe playing mechanism (a programmed cylinder with a musical comb) is no longer original. The current musical movement is by Reuge and plays "The Harmonious Blacksmith" by Handel.
In the Netherlands, this type of chair was sold in the late 19th century at the Royal Dutch Factory of Musical Instruments M.J.H. Kessels. They not only built musical instruments themselves, but also sold instruments made by other firms from abroad.
Because of the carving, these chairs are always described as "Black Forest" chairs, originating in the state of Baden-Württemberg, in southern Germany on the Rhine and on the French border. Indeed, the type of carving is characteristic of this region. However, the musical movements incorporated into the seats are of Swiss origin. This means that there are two possibilities: either the chairs were made in the Black Forest and provided with a musical mechanism in Switzerland (or vice versa, the musical movement was "ordered" in Switzerland), or the chairs are from Switzerland after all. Since the carvings are very typical of the Black Forest, we will assume the former for now. The chairs would have been owned by the upper middle classes and were used for entertainment.
In the Netherlands, this type of chair was sold in the late 19th century at the Royal Dutch Factory of Musical Instruments M.J.H. Kessels. They not only built musical instruments themselves, but also sold instruments made by other firms from abroad.
Because of the carving, these chairs are always described as "Black Forest" chairs, originating in the state of Baden-Württemberg, in southern Germany on the Rhine and on the French border. Indeed, the type of carving is characteristic of this region. However, the musical movements incorporated into the seats are of Swiss origin. This means that there are two possibilities: either the chairs were made in the Black Forest and provided with a musical mechanism in Switzerland (or vice versa, the musical movement was "ordered" in Switzerland), or the chairs are from Switzerland after all. Since the carvings are very typical of the Black Forest, we will assume the former for now. The chairs would have been owned by the upper middle classes and were used for entertainment.
Dimensions
geheel height: 70 cm
geheel width: 37 cm
geheel depth: 40 cm
geheel width: 37 cm
geheel depth: 40 cm