Marien Music Box
The earliest music boxes were created in the 1700s and developed from snuff boxes. The original boxes were “carillions a musique” meaning chimes of music. The idea of a self playing music box was developed from the carillon bell towers in Europe. The mechanisms on these towers used pinned cogs on a rotating barrel to move another wheel or part. It would then strike a turned bell in sequence to produce music. In the early years of production most boxes came from Switzerland, where the clock work operated mechanisms were made by watchmakers. By 1815, the demand became so great for music boxes that companies grew and quickly expanded to Germany and America. The mechanisms now took on the form of small pins on a rotating cylinder. An internal fine comb would precisely strike the cylinder as it moved producing a musical note. Toward the end of the 18th century, the cylinder design became replaced with a metal disk to create melodies.
The beautiful song that plays is O Sole Mio, which translates as “My Sunshine”. ( If you have never heard it give it a listen, it is quite beautiful) It was written by Giovanni Capurro whose Neapolitan lyrics sing about the beauty of the day, painting a beautiful picture of Southern Italy in the sunshine.
This is a found object in good condition. It has been well loved. There are two creases on the picture front of the music box that go from corner to corner. The edges are worn on all four sides and the top right has a small a chip.( I think this adds to the charm and character of the piece) The bottom has a marker smear from a name once written on the bottom. The red velvet on the inside is in great condition. The music box still winds and plays the prettiest tune. Inside the lid is original label with Carillon Svizzera , O Sole Mio, The Lador label and the model number printed on it. Lador is a Swiss company that was founded in 1890 by Adrien Lador.
At the widest part, the music box measures 6 inches wide and 6 inches long and almost 2 1/2 tall from the bottom of the feet. The inside depth of the compartment is 1 inch deep.
Please email with any additional questions.
The earliest music boxes were created in the 1700s and developed from snuff boxes. The original boxes were “carillions a musique” meaning chimes of music. The idea of a self playing music box was developed from the carillon bell towers in Europe. The mechanisms on these towers used pinned cogs on a rotating barrel to move another wheel or part. It would then strike a turned bell in sequence to produce music. In the early years of production most boxes came from Switzerland, where the clock work operated mechanisms were made by watchmakers. By 1815, the demand became so great for music boxes that companies grew and quickly expanded to Germany and America. The mechanisms now took on the form of small pins on a rotating cylinder. An internal fine comb would precisely strike the cylinder as it moved producing a musical note. Toward the end of the 18th century, the cylinder design became replaced with a metal disk to create melodies.
The beautiful song that plays is O Sole Mio, which translates as “My Sunshine”. ( If you have never heard it give it a listen, it is quite beautiful) It was written by Giovanni Capurro whose Neapolitan lyrics sing about the beauty of the day, painting a beautiful picture of Southern Italy in the sunshine.
This is a found object in good condition. It has been well loved. There are two creases on the picture front of the music box that go from corner to corner. The edges are worn on all four sides and the top right has a small a chip.( I think this adds to the charm and character of the piece) The bottom has a marker smear from a name once written on the bottom. The red velvet on the inside is in great condition. The music box still winds and plays the prettiest tune. Inside the lid is original label with Carillon Svizzera , O Sole Mio, The Lador label and the model number printed on it. Lador is a Swiss company that was founded in 1890 by Adrien Lador.
At the widest part, the music box measures 6 inches wide and 6 inches long and almost 2 1/2 tall from the bottom of the feet. The inside depth of the compartment is 1 inch deep.
Please email with any additional questions.
The earliest music boxes were created in the 1700s and developed from snuff boxes. The original boxes were “carillions a musique” meaning chimes of music. The idea of a self playing music box was developed from the carillon bell towers in Europe. The mechanisms on these towers used pinned cogs on a rotating barrel to move another wheel or part. It would then strike a turned bell in sequence to produce music. In the early years of production most boxes came from Switzerland, where the clock work operated mechanisms were made by watchmakers. By 1815, the demand became so great for music boxes that companies grew and quickly expanded to Germany and America. The mechanisms now took on the form of small pins on a rotating cylinder. An internal fine comb would precisely strike the cylinder as it moved producing a musical note. Toward the end of the 18th century, the cylinder design became replaced with a metal disk to create melodies.
The beautiful song that plays is O Sole Mio, which translates as “My Sunshine”. ( If you have never heard it give it a listen, it is quite beautiful) It was written by Giovanni Capurro whose Neapolitan lyrics sing about the beauty of the day, painting a beautiful picture of Southern Italy in the sunshine.
This is a found object in good condition. It has been well loved. There are two creases on the picture front of the music box that go from corner to corner. The edges are worn on all four sides and the top right has a small a chip.( I think this adds to the charm and character of the piece) The bottom has a marker smear from a name once written on the bottom. The red velvet on the inside is in great condition. The music box still winds and plays the prettiest tune. Inside the lid is original label with Carillon Svizzera , O Sole Mio, The Lador label and the model number printed on it. Lador is a Swiss company that was founded in 1890 by Adrien Lador.
At the widest part, the music box measures 6 inches wide and 6 inches long and almost 2 1/2 tall from the bottom of the feet. The inside depth of the compartment is 1 inch deep.
Please email with any additional questions.