Details
Image(s)
TitleMuscial Snuff Box with Cylinder Movement
Creatorunknown
Year ca. 1835
Object number0393
Object categorymechanical instruments with playing comb, music boxes
Object namemusic box with cylinder
DescriptionThis silver snuff box is covered with a delicate guilloche decoration; the lid is engraved with an oval depicting a harp and flute on a wreath of leaves. The inside of the box is matte and gold-coloured. The slider on the left side of the box switches on the music and the slider on the right side changes the tune.
Accompanying textsThe playing comb has a total of 68 teeth, arranged in segments of four. The box plays two melodies. One is 'Largo al Factotum' from Rossini's The Barber of Seville (1816); the second is currently unidentified, but is probably another opera aria.
The maker of this particular box is unknown, but it is suspected to have come from Geneva, which at this time was the most prolific and important centre for the production of watches, music boxes and other small musical movements that could be fitted into a variety of popular trinkets and accessories.
Dimensions
geheel height: 3.7 cm
geheel width: 9 cm
geheel depth: 5.8 cm
geheel open height: 8.2 cm
cilinder length: 6.2 cm
cilinder diameter: 18 mm
geheel width: 9 cm
geheel depth: 5.8 cm
geheel open height: 8.2 cm
cilinder length: 6.2 cm
cilinder diameter: 18 mm
Digital references