Details
Image(s)
TitleMusical Sewing Box with Cylinder Movement
Creatorunknown
PlaceZwitserland/Frankrijk
Year ca. 1815
Object number0185
Object categorymechanical instruments with playing comb, music boxes
Object namemusic box with cylinder
DescriptionThe cylinder movement with segment comb is located on the right side of this miniature piano, closed off by a glass plate that protects the movement from dust and dirt. The comb consists of 22 segments with 3 teeth each and one segment with 2 teeth. The movement plays two melodies. By pressing the small "foot pedals" one can start the playing work and determine the melody.
Accompanying texts
One of the melodies, `Au clair de la lune', was already a popular and well-known song in the 18th century. The arrangement of this song on the music cylinder, with its brilliant glissandi and arpeggios, is typical of the high quality of these early segment comb works and makes optimal use of the greatly increased musical possibilities of a sound medium that was new at the time: the music comb.
Some of the sewing accessories made of mother of pearl are inlaid with a gold medallion depicting an enameled violin, which was a typical motif for the Paris-based Palais Royal. Sewing accessories could also be luxury objects and those associated with the Palais Royal were among the absolute best. They were and are very expensive.
The movement plays two melodies: Ranz des Vaches and Clair de la Lune.
One of the melodies, `Au clair de la lune', was already a popular and well-known song in the 18th century. The arrangement of this song on the music cylinder, with its brilliant glissandi and arpeggios, is typical of the high quality of these early segment comb works and makes optimal use of the greatly increased musical possibilities of a sound medium that was new at the time: the music comb.
Some of the sewing accessories made of mother of pearl are inlaid with a gold medallion depicting an enameled violin, which was a typical motif for the Paris-based Palais Royal. Sewing accessories could also be luxury objects and those associated with the Palais Royal were among the absolute best. They were and are very expensive.
Dimensions
geheel height: 13.5 cm
geheel width: 29 cm
geheel depth: 12 cm
geheel open height: 25 cm
cilinder length: 6 cm
cilinder diameter: 16 mm
geheel width: 29 cm
geheel depth: 12 cm
geheel open height: 25 cm
cilinder length: 6 cm
cilinder diameter: 16 mm
Digital references