Musical Specialties
Music boxes have never been limited to their purely generic forms; indeed from the time of their invention they were used as accompaniment to everything from snuff boxes, sewing kits, and even chamber pots and toilet paper dispensers!
On these pages you will find many varieties, including the coin-operated entertainment devices that provided supplementary income for restaurants, train stations and the like.
For many years, we have had a close association with the famous Baud Museum in L’Auberson, Switzerland. As an adjunct to the museum (or perhaps the other way around), they have maintained a restoration workshop, not just for their own purposes but also as a means to support the museum by taking in outside work from all over the world.
Musical Swiss Chalet
A wonderful coin-op music box, made in 1890. Intended for use in public places such as restaurants or hotels.
Features a Paillard sublime harmonie cylinder music box, playing 8 tunes, with tune sheet. Cylinder is 12”. With double-spring motor, tune indicator and automatic light.
Three dancing dolls, bounding, twirling and pirouetting to the music complete the visual delight.
The Swiss chalet was hand-carved in Brienz, Switzerland, the center of the wood-carving industry. Measures 30” wide x 14” deep x 25” high.
Recently restored by Monsieur Denis Margot in conjunction with the Baud Museum Workshop, both in L’Auberson, Switzerland, and in virtually perfect condition.
#509
Station Box With Carousel
This c.1890 coin-operated station box, with five dancing dolls and a rotating carousel. Upon dropping a coin in the slot, the interior lights come on, the music begins to play, the carousel rotates and the girls begin their dancing. A virtual cornucopia of audio and visual delights! In magnificent condition due to a restoration at the Musee Baud in L’Auberson, Switzerland. A very unique music box guaranteed to delight young and old alike.
This is perhaps the finest example of this genre that we have had in over 25 years.
#510
Swiss “Station Music Box”
As typically found on the Swiss Railway throughout Switzerland from 1890 to the 1950's, these music boxes adorned the waiting rooms as a means to entertain travelers (especially children) until their train arrived. This example has three Chinese beating bells, and three dancing dolls, all performing their musical act at the drop of a coin.
#505
Swiss Station Music Box
This coin-operated music box, just arrived from Switzerland, has two quite unique Moorish figures beating the bells, in addition to the three dancing dolls, etc. A Baud Museum restoration, in as-new condition.
#500
Musical Clock Painting
This large (39" x 23") painting, made in France c.1890, features an idyllic lakeside scene, with a functional clock tower. Every hour, the clock strikes a gong, and then sets a 10" cylinder music box playing one of six tunes, rotating the songs throughout the day. The clockworks, gong and music box are located in a framework behind the painting. This is in exceptional condition, having been restored recently by the Baud Museum workshop in Switzerland.
#5598
Musical “Upright” Piano with Clock
An exceptionally exquisite c.1890 French music box in the form of an upright piano, adorned with romantic enamel scenes.
#5596
Miniature Musical Table
A beautiful gilded and enameled ensemble consisting of a musical table, four chairs and a love seat. The table has a music box hidden inside and is wound and activated from underneath.
#5567
Musical Piano Jewelry Box
This beautiful antique miniature piano, with chair, features a small, velvet-lined jewelry compartment. The hidden Swiss music box underneath this compartment plays when the lid is opened. Beautiful Austrian enamel, all around and even under the lid.
#5590
Musical Piano Jewelry Box
An exquisite Austrian enamel musical piano-shaped jewelry box. The music plays whenever the top of the piano is lifted to access the compartment underneath. With matching stool, this is the highest-quality example of the genre.
#5515