Details
Image(s)
TitleWatch Key with Stacked Comb Movement
Creatorunknown
PlaceGeneva (Switzerland)
Year ca. 1815
Object number1200
Object categorymechanical instruments with playing comb, music boxes
Object namemusic box with cylinder
DescriptionBy turning the oval eye on top of the key, one winds up the spring of the stacked comb playing mechanism. This spring sits in a spring barrel that simultaneously also functions as the cylinder on which the music programme is located. This system is called barillet and allowed a lot of space to be saved. This meant that musical movements could be used in much smaller objects. The comb of the playing action consists of seven teeth stacked on top of each other and secured with two screws; a so-called stacked comb movement. Each comb tooth is one note, giving the object a musical range of seven notes.
Accompanying textsPlaying is activated by moving a small slider on the right-hand side. The key plays one melody, which is not currently identified.
This object has no maker's stamp or mark, but it probably originated in Geneva - an important centre for the production of similar musical trinkets - around 1815. Geneva clockmakers were specialists in the manufacture of precious trinkets called 'bijous de Genève'. Consequently, when the music comb was invented, it quickly found its way into these high-priced luxury accessories. Due to the high demand for these musical novelties, production was increased, with the playing pieces being placed in slightly less expensive products such as watch keys and seals. And what better accompaniment to a fine gold musical watch, than a fine gold musical winding key?
This object has no maker's stamp or mark, but it probably originated in Geneva - an important centre for the production of similar musical trinkets - around 1815. Geneva clockmakers were specialists in the manufacture of precious trinkets called 'bijous de Genève'. Consequently, when the music comb was invented, it quickly found its way into these high-priced luxury accessories. Due to the high demand for these musical novelties, production was increased, with the playing pieces being placed in slightly less expensive products such as watch keys and seals. And what better accompaniment to a fine gold musical watch, than a fine gold musical winding key?