Music Boxes
A Little Music Box History
The Music Box has been around since 1796. Originally, these boxes contained cylinders that were plucked via comb-type teeth striking raised bumps on the cylinder. Music Boxes began small and were used in such jewelry items as pendants and watches. Music Boxes evolved into large, decorative pieces of furniture in the 1880s when methods were developed to deliver more than one song per box via a steel discs that could be changed. Traditional wood boxes quickly evolved into elaborate works of art and music mechanisms were incorporated into clocks, birdcages, and elaborate Music Box theaters. Music Boxes rode a wave of popularity until 1920 when the phonographs came into vogue.
The Modern Music Box
Modern Music Boxes appeal to a small, but devoted spectrum of enthusiast. Consumers buy Music Boxes as gifts, as novelty collectables, as character collectibles, as elegant display pieces for the home, and, in some cases, as works of art. Modern Music Boxes contain cylinder or disc movements that can produce over 140 notes and play up to 4 tunes. The highest quality movements are made in Switzerland and Japan. An American company, Porter Music Box, is the largest disc style maker of Music Boxes in the world and they have created over 1000 song titles on disc for their boxes.
Modern Music Boxes come in a variety of forms, some of which really aren't boxes at all! Automatons, figures on revolving pedestals, Faberge-style eggs, chirping birds in gilded cages, impressionistic crystal sculptures and a variety of other forms may all be characterized as Music Boxes.
Music Box Buying
Ultimately buying a Music Box will come down to two things: personal choice and price. Whether you are seeking a gift for a friend, associate or special someone, or are purchasing a Music Box of your own, here are a few of the types of Music Boxes you will find:
- Novelty Boxes—this category covers those Music Box items that are not part of a collectible series, but are appealing because of their artistry, subject matter, or theme. For instance there are many Music Box items available with angels as their subject matter: angel pigs, angels singing, little girl and boy angels. Novelty Music Boxes run the gamut of quality. Many attractive and affordable options can be found in this category.
- Character Collectibles—did you love the Broadway musical Phantom of the Opera™? If you did, then there is a whole range of Music Box items based on the Phantom. Character Collectibles are produced in limited quantities, have certificates of authenticity, and in some instances, are artist signed. Quality and price range of these items varies widely. Current popular collectibles include Flower Fairies, Gone with the Wind™, and Anna Rose™ themed items.
- Cultural and Religious Boxes—a large number of Music Boxes are made that depict religious imagery. Religious Music Boxes are also produced as collectible limited editions. Cultural boxes can be found in Americana, Military, Historical, and Place/Nationality specific themes. These Music Box items are produced generally when a market demand is present. For instance, currently a patriotic USA theme is in vogue.
- Traditional Wooden Music Boxes—There are three companies in existence today capable of producing fine hand inlaid and wood console Music Boxes: Porter (USA), Reuge (Switzerland) and Sorrento (Italy). Sorrento is known for its small size inlaid boxes made with great detail, beautiful woods and excellent craftsmanship. Reuge and Porter also produce exceptional small inlaid boxes, but it is in the console category that these two companies excel. Porter has developed a console that uses two discs, like stereo to create music. Reuge pays great attention to the quality and precision of their music cylinders. Both companies produce Music Boxes in varying console sizes using exceptional materials and applying renowned woodworking skills.
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