Details
Image(s)
TitleReed Organ with Automata,'Monkey Orchestra'
Creator Jérôme Thibouville-Lamy (manufacturer)
PlaceParis (France)
Year ca. 1880
Object number1160
Object categorymechanical resounding reed instruments
Object namemechanical reed organ, reed instrument with cylinder
DescriptionTurning the pendulum drives the music cylinder and the movements of the monkey figures. While the music plays, the violinist and cellist play their instruments. Meanwhile, the monkey in the middle plays a ball game on the table.
The monkeys are constructed from inexpensive materials. Their skeletons are made of wood, the arms of metal, and the movements are controlled by iron wires and strings. The monkeys' heads and bodies are made of papier maché, covered by their silk clothing.
Accompanying textsThe instrument is a 20-note reed organ. The sounds are created by vibrating metal strips, as in an accordion. The advantage of reeds is that they have a large musical range while taking up little space. The music cylinder of this organ has eight melodies. The repertoire consists of cheerful waltzes and polkas that were very popular at the time.
The Monkey Orchestra is signed 'Jérôme Thibouville-Lamy, 68 & 70 rue Réamur, Paris'. Thibouville-Lamy was a dealer who sold all kinds of musical instruments, including automatic musical instruments. The monkeys were most probably made by someone else (likely Phalibois) and the organ is probably from the Mirecourt region. In the nineteenth century, such objects were made quickly and as cheaply as possible, but this did not diminish their effect. This certainly also applies to this Monkey Orchestra. Nevertheless, despite the cheaper production, it was not cheap to buy such a product. Originally, therefore, these pieces were found in the salons of wealthy people. They were also seen in the shop windows of (fancier) department stores.
Dimensions
geheel height: 91 cm
geheel width: 66 cm
geheel depth: 40 cm
geheel width: 66 cm
geheel depth: 40 cm