Swiss Orchestral Music Box and Table
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A remarkable Swiss interchangeable orchestral cylinder music box by the Geneva firm of Samuel Troll
Key Features
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- Remarkable Swiss interchangeable orchestral cylinder music box by the Geneva firm of Samuel Troll
- The rare music box rests atop its original matching burl walnut stand
- The music box is complete with bells, drums, castanets and a very rare full organ
- Each of the six original cylinders plays six different airs, with works by Mozart, Strauss and Rossi
- Circa 1880
- 55 1/2" wide x 33" deep x 45 1/2" high
Item Details
- Width:
55 1/2 Inches - Height:
45 1/2 Inches - Depth:
33 Inches - Period:
19th Century - Origin:
Switzerland
An extremely rare and quite remarkable Swiss Interchangeable Orchestral Cylinder Music Box by the Geneva firm of Samuel Troll. The music box rests atop its original matching burl walnut stand, which like the box, is serpentine-shaped and inlaid with ebony, satinwood and rosewood. Two drawers house the music box's original six cylinders, and a center drawer pulls out to reveal a leather top desk. The music box is complete with bells, drums, castanets and a very rare full organ. The sound is superb, retaining its crisp melodious tuning. It is truly the rare exception to find such an extraordinary music box in so complete a state, especially one of such monumental size and beauty.
Circa 1880
Introduced in the 1870s, the orchestral music box revolutionized the industry. The addition of an organ to the drums, bells and castanets provided a new level of sound production and served to invigorate the industry even though their production was very costly and they were generally accessible only to the very affluent. And, while most orchestral boxes are considered desirable, an example such as this boasts numerous subtle advantages. First, these more elaborate and more expensive boxes allowed the listener to customize the sound of the music box by turning off one or many of the added instruments. You will also note that the drums and bells are beautifully engraved, a feature not found on many boxes. Add to that the use of both birds atop the bells and lovely enameled dragonflies to strike those bells. Indeed, no detail was overlooked in the creation of this marvelous work. Even the glass panel covering the cylinder is beautifully and intricately inlaid with colored exotic woods.
Each of the six original cylinders plays six different airs, with works by Mozart, Strauss and Rossini included. Without question, this Samuel Troll Orchestral Music Box is one of the finest known and would make a stunning addition to any collection or a focal point for any room.
References:
A similar, though less complex music box is pictured in The Wonderland of Music Boxes and Automata, 1989.
Encyclopedia of Automatic Musical Instruments, 1972, Q. David Bowers
Circa 1880
Introduced in the 1870s, the orchestral music box revolutionized the industry. The addition of an organ to the drums, bells and castanets provided a new level of sound production and served to invigorate the industry even though their production was very costly and they were generally accessible only to the very affluent. And, while most orchestral boxes are considered desirable, an example such as this boasts numerous subtle advantages. First, these more elaborate and more expensive boxes allowed the listener to customize the sound of the music box by turning off one or many of the added instruments. You will also note that the drums and bells are beautifully engraved, a feature not found on many boxes. Add to that the use of both birds atop the bells and lovely enameled dragonflies to strike those bells. Indeed, no detail was overlooked in the creation of this marvelous work. Even the glass panel covering the cylinder is beautifully and intricately inlaid with colored exotic woods.
Each of the six original cylinders plays six different airs, with works by Mozart, Strauss and Rossini included. Without question, this Samuel Troll Orchestral Music Box is one of the finest known and would make a stunning addition to any collection or a focal point for any room.
References:
A similar, though less complex music box is pictured in The Wonderland of Music Boxes and Automata, 1989.
Encyclopedia of Automatic Musical Instruments, 1972, Q. David Bowers
