Swiss cylinder music box warrants expert opinion

Posted 6/7/15

Q. I have this old music box that belonged to my grandmother. The cabinet is 16” long and the cylinder is 12” long. It has a paper label with a list of songs including “Auld Lang Syne”. The rest is in German and I cannot read it. It does …

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Swiss cylinder music box warrants expert opinion

Posted

Q. I have this old music box that belonged to my grandmother. The cabinet is 16” long and the cylinder is 12” long. It has a paper label with a list of songs including “Auld Lang Syne”. The rest is in German and I cannot read it. It does work and plays eight songs. Can you tell me anything about it and what it is worth?

A. Music boxes have a long history which started in the late 1700’s. The first music boxes were very simple and housed in snuff boxes which could easily fit in a gentleman’s waistcoat pocket. The mechanics are similar to clockworks and were made by artisan watchmakers. In 1815, the first music box factory opened in Switzerland which makes sense since it had (and still has) a large supply of superior watch and clockmakers.

Cylinder music boxes were developed around 1840 and were in mass production by 1862. The cylinders are made of metal with thousands of tiny pins on them. When the cylinder rotates, the pins hit a metal comb which produces the sound. The pins are pieces of wire inserted into the cylinder. The cylinder is then filled with pitch or tar which when dry, holds all of the pins in place.

As the technology advanced, the boxes became larger and more elaborate and in the late 1880’s some models had drums and bells in them. Also during this period, interchangeable models were developed which allowed you to change cylinders and have more melody options. Some can play up to three hours! These were very expensive until around 1900 when less expensive mass produced options appeared on the market.

The wooden cases themselves are a work of art. Many are constructed of figured mahogany with inlays of wood or shell, and have beautiful hand painted details. The highest quality Swiss boxes are from the mid 1800’s. Also noted from sources found, the larger the box and cylinder, the higher the value. This also means If it is a small cylinder in a big case, it is a later, cheap reproduction.

I do not know what the condition of the works are in your music box but the size of the box and cylinder are good. The cabinet looks to be of high quality and the paper label with the cross detail at the top tells me it is most likely Swiss. A Swiss box of this size and type would sell at auction in the range of $700-$1,000 (or more). I would recommend that you have it evaluated by a music box expert to be sure.

Karen Waterman is a fine art, antique furniture and decorative arts appraiser in the East Bay area and will answer as many questions regarding your “hidden treasures” as possible. By sending a letter or email with a question you give full permission for use in the column. Names, addresses or e-mail will not be published and photos will be returned if requested. Send e-mails (digital photos preferred ) to watermanappraisal@gmail.com . Send snail mail to Waterman Appraisal and Consulting Services,PO Box 134, Barrington, RI 02806.

karen waterman

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