The history of the music box dates back to 1796, when the Swiss watchmaker Antoine Favre perfected the concept of musical devices of reduced dimensions. The cylinder musical box evolved in the early 19th century from clocks with bell chimes. Instead of bells the music was created by tiny teeth as in the teeth in a comb being 'flicked' by the pins in a rotating cylinder. The early boxes had plain cases, and the spring mechanism which drove the cylinder was wound by a key. This was replaced by a ratchet lever. From 1860 the cases became more ornate with inlays and banding. The movements were enhanced with complications such as bellow, drums and bells, the latter of which were often hidden under decorative butterflies or bees. Another advance was to include additional cylinders, and while the box could only play a single cylinder at one time, the cylinders were more...

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An inlaid music box, 16.5 cm long

Inlaid Music Box: 16.5 cm Melodic Masterpiece

An inlaid music box, 16.5 cm long

Early wood veneer music box, some losses to veneer, with music…

Antique Wood Music Box with Losses and Key

Early wood veneer music box, some losses to veneer, with music box movement below, needs service, key available, height 9 cm, width 11 cm

German made tin music box

German Tin Music Box

German made tin music box

Objects, 1920's and later a collection of ladies vanity…

1920s Ladies Vanity Collection

Objects, 1920's and later a collection of ladies vanity accesories and objects, comprising six pieces, the music box 6 cm high, 15.5 cm wide, 11 cm deep

Sorrento music box with musical trophy to the top, 7 cm high,…

Musical Trophy Sorrento Box

Sorrento music box with musical trophy to the top, 7 cm high, 15 cm wide, 12 cm deep

Tunbridge musical cigarette box

Musical Cigarette Box from Tunbridge

Tunbridge musical cigarette box

An Oriental black Elemica lacquer musical jewel box,…

Oriental Lacquer Musical Jewel Box

An Oriental black Elemica lacquer musical jewel box, batterydriven by Sankyo. Dimensions 24.5 cm x 8 cm

Vintage Swiza Swiss brass cased desk clock 17 jewels movement,…

Swiza Swiss Brass Desk Clock with Music Box

Vintage Swiza Swiss brass cased desk clock 17 jewels movement, needs service, with incorporated music box movement, appears to be operational, height 10 cm.

Swiss decorated wood music box inset decoration to lid, lined…

Swiss Wood Music Box with Inset Lid Decoration

Swiss decorated wood music box inset decoration to lid, lined interior, operating music movement, length 19 cm.

A Reuge Switzerland timber musical box in the form of a grand…

Reuge Grand Piano Musical Box Playing 'Laura's Theme'

A Reuge Switzerland timber musical box in the form of a grand piano, the box plays 'Laura's theme' from Doctor Zhivago

A Waco Japanese painted Melody porcelain musical clown clock,…

Melody Clown Porcelain Clock with Music Box Base

A Waco Japanese painted Melody porcelain musical clown clock, music box base with moveable head. Quartz movement in lampost. Height 40 cm

A limited edition 'Snow white' musical Jack-in-the-box,…

Limited Edition Snow White Musical Jack-in-the-Box

A limited edition 'Snow white' musical Jack-in-the-box, numbered 2964 fom the long Ago and Far Away series. The hexagonal box with spring loaded lid is decorated on all panels with classic story scene. Needs attention. Height 16 cm

Vintage Continental amboyna veneer music box decorated inset…

Antique Amboyna Veneer Music Box with Fitted Interior

Vintage Continental amboyna veneer music box decorated inset amboyna wood to lid, opening to fitted interior, with operating music box movement, length 19 cm

A Victorian music box photograph album, containing some early…

Victorian Music Box Photo Album with Postcards and Photos

A Victorian music box photograph album, containing some early postcards and photographs (working order). Dimensions 27 cm x 1 cm

Vintage Continental wood cased clock, (probably of German…

German Vintage Clock with Parade of Kings Movement and Music Box

Vintage Continental wood cased clock, (probably of German origin), with revolving parade of the kings movement, music box movement attached, key and pendulum and 3 weights available, untested, (height 40 cm).

Boxed Rhymes marquetry music box plays Blue Danube, measures 17.…

Blue Danube Marquetry Music Box - 17.2 cm

Boxed Rhymes marquetry music box plays Blue Danube, measures 17.2 cm

Late 19th century simple walnut music box, hand operated with…

Hand-cranked Walnut Music Box with 3 Tunes

Late 19th century simple walnut music box, hand operated with three airs

Antique Tunbridge musical jewellery box with fitted interior,…

Tunbridge Musical Jewellery Box with Fitted Interior

Antique Tunbridge musical jewellery box with fitted interior, width 28 x depth 12 cm working when tested.

Italian decorative storage table inlaid type veneer decorated…

Italian Inlaid Decorative Storage Table with Music Box

Italian decorative storage table inlaid type veneer decorated lid, which opens to a fitted interior storage for cards/sewing pieces etc, and with operating music box movement, on 4 tapered legs, height 42 cm ; width 37 cm, approx. Key unavailable.

Rosewood inlaid cased music box

Rosewood Inlaid Music Box

Rosewood inlaid cased music box

Italian ornately decorated storage table inlaid type veneer…

Italian Inlaid Music Storage Table with Fitted Interior

Italian ornately decorated storage table inlaid type veneer decorated lid, opening to fitted interior, for card game/sewing pieces, with operating music box, on 4 tapered legs, key unavailable, height 50 cm, width 44 cm

A Swiss music box, late 19th century, a rosewood casket inlaid…

19th Century Swiss Music Box in Rosewood Casket

A Swiss music box, late 19th century, a rosewood casket inlaid to the lid with foliage, initials and stringing, the interior with a comb and cylinder operated by an external key, height 13 cm, width 46.5 cm, depth 17.5 cm

Swiss walnut music box with decorated lid and operating Reuge,…

Swiss Walnut Music Box with Reuge Music Movement

Swiss walnut music box with decorated lid and operating Reuge, Switzerland music movement, length 11 cm.

A National music box, height 13 cm, width 36 cm, depth 21 cm

National Melodies Music Box

A National music box, height 13 cm, width 36 cm, depth 21 cm

Two wooden music boxes including three Airs Swiss cylinder,…

Antique Swiss Cylinder Music Boxes

Two wooden music boxes including three Airs Swiss cylinder, early 20th century, comprising a Swiss cylinder comb mechanism rectangular mini music box no 50, mahogany cased with three tunes including Lauterbach Waltz, operated with push button to the front…

Vintage French music / cigarette box, with dancing figures, 12…

French Music Cigarette Box with Dancing Figures

Vintage French music / cigarette box, with dancing figures, 12 cm high, 18 cm wide, 15 cm deep

A Victorian cylinder music box in simulated rosewood case,…

Victorian Rosewood Music Box, Swiss, c.1880

A Victorian cylinder music box in simulated rosewood case, Swiss, c.1880. Runs but needs attention. Cylinder length 9 cm. Length 31 cm

Antique French clockwork music box. Cylindrical form with…

French Antique Music Box, C1905, 9cm Diameter

Antique French clockwork music box. Cylindrical form with lithograph ends. C1905. Diameter 9 cm

A circular French walnut cased music box, 6 cm high, 10 cm…

French Walnut Music Box

A circular French walnut cased music box, 6 cm high, 10 cm diameter

Piano form musical dressing table box with ivory and satinwood…

Inlaid Piano Dressing Table Box with Fitted Tray

Piano form musical dressing table box with ivory and satinwood inlay, mirrored interior with a fitted tray containing a part sewing set (some damage) dimensions 29 x 20 x 16.5 cm

Swiss cylinder music box having seventy-seven teeth, with in…

77-Teeth Swiss Music Box in Inlaid Glass Case

Swiss cylinder music box having seventy-seven teeth, with in internal inbuilt winder, set in a timber inlaid glass top case. Length 52 x 225.5 x 14.5 cm

A nest of three Italian inlaid tables, the smallest being a…

Italian Inlaid Nesting Tables with Musical Jewel Box

A nest of three Italian inlaid tables, the smallest being a musical jewel box, 63 x 66 x 46 cm (largest)

Fine quality Swiss music box with inlaid case

Swiss Inlaid Music Box

Fine quality Swiss music box with inlaid case

Small Swiss 8 air music box, no. 41837, made by Mojon Manger,…

Swiss 8 Air Music Box - Mojon Manger, c.1900

Small Swiss 8 air music box, no. 41837, made by Mojon Manger, Geneva, Switzerland, with a 3½in cyclinder and transfer on lid. In good working condition, but needs some damper adjustments, c.1900. Provenance: Bryan Jackson collection of music boxes and toys

Antique leather embossed photo album, fitted with Swiss…

Embossed Leather Photo Album with Music Box

Antique leather embossed photo album, fitted with Swiss cylinder music box, 30 x 23 cm

An antique Swiss music box with wood grained case, 19th century,…

19th Century Swiss Music Box with Wood Grained Case

An antique Swiss music box with wood grained case, 19th century, 13 cm high, 36 cm wide, 19 cm deep

A Swiss timber Reuge Sainte Croix music box Showcasing three…

Swiss Reuge Music Box: Tchaikovsky Songs, Elaine & Lyle, 1978

A Swiss timber Reuge Sainte Croix music box Showcasing three Tchaikovsky Songs, width 23 cm, plaque to top reads 'Elaine and Lyle, January 1978'

Swiss Luxor music box carousel clock, with 8 day clock set in a…

Swiss Luxor Music Box Carousel Clock with 8 Day Movement

Swiss Luxor music box carousel clock, with 8 day clock set in a globe above a music box carousel operates but requires servicing, clock working when tested, 20 cm high

A Victorian Swiss music box, brass plate, veneer inlay to lid,…

Victorian Swiss Music Box with Veneer Inlay

A Victorian Swiss music box, brass plate, veneer inlay to lid, circa 1860. 57 x 24 x 14.5 cm. Minor losses to veneer inlay and teeth.

A vintage music box with inlaid lid, width 51 cm

Inlaid Music Box - Vintage Charm

A vintage music box with inlaid lid, width 51 cm

A 1920s vintage German Trick Radio cocktail cabinet, the facade…

Trick Radio Cocktail Cabinet with Traveling Set

A 1920s vintage German Trick Radio cocktail cabinet, the facade with false turning knobs and dials. Opens to reveal a travelling cocktail set with music box, decanters, shaker, tumblers and other pieces.

A small oval wooden clock base, 19th century, encasing a music…

19th Century Wooden Music Box Clock Base

A small oval wooden clock base, 19th century, encasing a music box, 7 cm high, 27 cm wide, 14 cm deep

A Swiss music box, with the original movement and key in…

Swiss Music Box with Samurai Decorated Boxes

A Swiss music box, with the original movement and key in working order, with two other small boxes, one decorated with Samurai warriors

19th century Swiss musical box. Rosewood case with inlay.…

Swiss Musical Box with Inlay

19th century Swiss musical box. Rosewood case with inlay. Mechanism working. 43 x 13 x 19 cm, case

A small Swiss carved wood music box by Thorens, circa 1940s,…

Thorens Music Box with Opera Tunes

A small Swiss carved wood music box by Thorens, circa 1940s, the linen fold carved box having a spray of flowers in low relief to the lid, playing two operatic tunes from La Traviata and the Tales of Hoffman, label of Thorens to the lid, height 8 cm,…

Antique Swiss carved wood figural music box

Swiss Figural Music Box

Antique Swiss carved wood figural music box

Timber cased Symphonion in a timber box inlayed with the words…

Symphonion Music Box with Brass Player and Disks

Timber cased Symphonion in a timber box inlayed with the words Symphonion to the top. The inside fitted with brass player and three disks.

Thornes Swiss made six-tune music box in walnut case working…

Walnut Swiss Music Box - 6 Tunes - Working Condition

Thornes Swiss made six-tune music box in walnut case working condition

Late Victorian music box plain stained walnut box

Stained Walnut Victorian Music Box

Late Victorian music box plain stained walnut box

A Swiss musical box, circa 1880, playing six airs, with tune…

1880 Swiss Musical Box with Inlaid Wood Tune Card

A Swiss musical box, circa 1880, playing six airs, with tune card in inlaid wood, case 17 cm wide

Orpheus Sankyo music box, fine quality polished finish cylinder…

Orpheus Sankyo Music Box: Fine Quality Polished Cylinder Box

Orpheus Sankyo music box, fine quality polished finish cylinder box from Sankyo Seiki Manufacturing Company

Decorative antique box, with metal music motifs, 10.5 cm x 26…

Antique Music Motif Decorative Box

Decorative antique box, with metal music motifs, 10.5 cm x 26 cm, 9 cm high

Small Swiss music box by Reuge in a crystal case with gold…

Crystal Case Music Box with Gold Dolphin Feet

Small Swiss music box by Reuge in a crystal case with gold metal 'Dolphin' feet.

An antique Swiss music box with transfer decorated case, plays…

19th Century Swiss Music Box with Transfer Decorated Case

An antique Swiss music box with transfer decorated case, plays eight aires with original lithograph song sheet, 19th century, movement runs well, 12 cm high, 37 cm wide, 19 cm deep

19th century Schultz polyphone music box in walnut case,…

Antique Schultz Polyphone Music Box in Walnut Case

19th century Schultz polyphone music box in walnut case, working order, no dish 25.5 x 30 x 50 cm

A miniature Swiss French music box, 19th century, Reuge…

Swiss French Music Box with Reuge Mechanism and Gilt Bronze

A miniature Swiss French music box, 19th century, Reuge mechanism, with a Swiss mechanism in a French gilt bronze box, with cast decoration to the sides and profuse scroll work to the cover with applied jewels and a central enamel and foiled medallion of…

Swiss music box of 10 Hymns. Original black japanned case.…

Swiss Hymn Music Box in Original Condition

Swiss music box of 10 Hymns. Original black japanned case. Functional, in original unrestored condition. Estate late Douglas Osborne Hawke. W69 cm

A Victorian rosewood marquetry inlaid music box, 50 cm high, 40…

Victorian Marquetry Music Box

A Victorian rosewood marquetry inlaid music box, 50 cm high, 40 cm wide, 20 cm deep

Orpheus musical cylinder jewellery box, manufactured by Sanko…

Orpheus Musical Cylinder Jewelry Box

Orpheus musical cylinder jewellery box, manufactured by Sanko Seiki Mfg. Co. Ltd. Japan, the wooden case is brass corner bound and finished in high gloss varnish, the cylinder movement plays two Beethoven tunes Symphony no 5 Schiksal and Symphony no 9…

A Swiss music box, ten Airs, in finely inlaid rosewood body.…

Swiss Rosewood Music Box, 10 Airs (1880)

A Swiss music box, ten Airs, in finely inlaid rosewood body. Circa 1880. Length 51 cm.

19th century rosewood and metal inlaid music box on stand, (no…

Inlaid Rosewood Music Box Stand (No Mechanism)

19th century rosewood and metal inlaid music box on stand, (no mechanism)

Two cased brass music box mechanisms, one in a walnut and…

Brass Music Box Mechanisms in Inlay and Marquetry Boxes

Two cased brass music box mechanisms, one in a walnut and mother of pearl shield inlay box, the other marquetry decorated, the largest 5.5 cm high, 12.5 cm wide 8.5 cm deep

Good Reuge Switzerland wooden music box operational brass…

Reuge Wooden Music Box Plays Tchaikovsky Melodies

Good Reuge Switzerland wooden music box operational brass movement plays three Tchaikovsky melodies, length 20 cm.

A rare American 'Melodia' portable paper-roll driven organ by…

Rare Melodia Portable Organ with Paper Rolls

A rare American 'Melodia' portable paper-roll driven organ by the 'Mechanical Orguinette Co., New York', with a selection of paper rolls. In working order. Width 31 cm

19th century Swiss musical box, simulated rosewood case, the…

Swiss Musical Box with Coat of Arms and Lithograph Label

19th century Swiss musical box, simulated rosewood case, the lid transfer printed with Gb coat of arms, lid with lithograph label showing 8 airs, 39 cm wide

Cloisonne musical box with floral decoration, Ando mark

Ando Cloisonne Floral Musical Box

Cloisonne musical box with floral decoration, Ando mark

Mid 19th century Swiss music box for restoration, 56 cm wide,…

Antique Swiss Music Box for Restoration

Mid 19th century Swiss music box for restoration, 56 cm wide, 24 cm deep, 14.5 cm high

A small modern Swiss Reuge music box of traditional design with…

Swiss Reuge Music Box with Inlaid Mandolin Flute

A small modern Swiss Reuge music box of traditional design with manual wind movement and steel comb. Three tunes. Walnut hinged lidded box with inlaid mandolin flute and music notes. Height 6 cm. Width 16 cm. Depth 10 cm

19th century Swiss 8 Huit Airs music box brass cylinder with…

Swiss Music Box with Bells and Drums

19th century Swiss 8 Huit Airs music box brass cylinder with rosewood inlaid box. With bells & drums (needs service) internal framed & glazed cover reveals the mechanism (Partially working), height 21 cm, width 38 cm

A 19th century Swiss cylinder music box playing eight airs, the…

Swiss Cylinder Music Box with Eight Airs

A 19th century Swiss cylinder music box playing eight airs, the ratchet lever and controls on either side of an internal glass hinged lid, the decorated box showing signs of wear. Length 44 cm

A rosewood and mahogany-cased music box, 19th century, Swiss,…

19th Century Swiss Music Box with Marquetry and Tunes

A rosewood and mahogany-cased music box, 19th century, Swiss, rectangular with floral marquetry in coloured woods within cartouche to lid, brass mechanics, hand winder and original list of play tunes documented under lid, (not operational and some wear).…

Swiss music box by Lecoultre C.1840

Antique Swiss Music Box by Lecoultre (8 words)

Swiss music box by Lecoultre C.1840

A Thorens Switzerland music box in timber case cm, width 21 cm

Thorens Music Box in Timber Case

A Thorens Switzerland music box in timber case cm, width 21 cm

19th Century Qualite Excelsior cylinder music box circa 1890,…

19th Century Qualite Excelsior Cylinder Music Box

19th Century Qualite Excelsior cylinder music box circa 1890, #1623, playing 6 operatic & dance airs, in working condition, width 31 cm x depth 17 cm

A Gorman Ehrlich's patent disc music box C. 1900, together with…

Gorman Ehrlich's Disc Music Box & 10 Discs

A Gorman Ehrlich's patent disc music box C. 1900, together with ten thin brown cardboard discs. Diameter 33 cm.

A Swiss music box by 'Mfs' single comb with brass cylinder set…

Swiss Music Box in Ebonized Case with Song List

A Swiss music box by 'Mfs' single comb with brass cylinder set in ebonized and painted wood case with chromolithographed card stock, a list with eight inked manuscript song titles in French, fixed crank on left interior and play & change/repeat levers on…

German Symphonion and disc, Musikwerke, Leipzing, set within a…

German Symphonion Disc in Black Lacquer Box

German Symphonion and disc, Musikwerke, Leipzing, set within a black lacquer box, with thirty teeth, 35 x 35 cm

A Swiss walnut cylinder music box, 19th century playing six…

Swiss Walnut Cylinder Music Box, 19th Century

A Swiss walnut cylinder music box, 19th century playing six airs and tunes 12 cm high, 46 cm wide, 17 cm deep

Reuge Sainte Croix Swiss music box in a bevelled glass case,…

Reuge Swiss Music Box in Glass Case with Brass Accents

Reuge Sainte Croix Swiss music box in a bevelled glass case, with brass dolphin feet & pillars, retaining the original paper song label 'Minuet J.S. Bach, Gigue A. Corelli, Allegro W.A. Mozart. Ch 3/72'. Condition good, working, one leg slightly loose.…

A small lever wind music box, 19th century, wood case with…

19th Century Painted Music Box with Four Tunes

A small lever wind music box, 19th century, wood case with painted scene on lid of three children on a goat drawn carriage. 11 cm long cylinder x 3 cm diameter. Four tune with tune sheet, 11 cm high, 18 cm wide, 16 cm deep

An antique music box in walnut case with floral marquetry inlay,…

19th Century Walnut Music Box with Marquetry Inlay

An antique music box in walnut case with floral marquetry inlay, 19th century, 13 cm high, 42 cm wide, 20 cm deep

Continental music box. 8 air movement. Unrestored, plays. Borer…

Antique Continental Music Box with Borer Damage

Continental music box. 8 air movement. Unrestored, plays. Borer damage to case. Estate late Douglas Osborne Hawke. W28 cm

Music box with bells. 42 note comb (teeth missing). Governor…

Bell Music Box with Missing Teeth and Governor

Music box with bells. 42 note comb (teeth missing). Governor missing. Height 19 cm. Width 46 cm. Diameter 26 cm

Mid 19th century AMI Riveno Swiss music box circa 1850, #16991,…

Antique Swiss Music Box in Working Condition

Mid 19th century AMI Riveno Swiss music box circa 1850, #16991, in a timber case, in working condition, winder included, width 48.5 cm x depth 18 cm

19th century Schultz polyphone music box in walnut wooden case…

Antique Schultz Polyphone Music Box with 'Belle of New York' Dish

19th century Schultz polyphone music box in walnut wooden case with 'Belle of New York' dish, working order, 30.5 x 28 x 18 cm

Antique Swiss music box in burr walnut case, circa 1880s. 14 cm…

1880s Swiss Music Box in Burr Walnut Case

Antique Swiss music box in burr walnut case, circa 1880s. 14 cm high, 52 cm wide, 22.5 cm deep

An antique Swiss music box in timber case, single barrel with…

Swiss Antique Music Box with Six Tunes

An antique Swiss music box in timber case, single barrel with six tune selection, 19th century, 13 cm high, 52 cm wide, 17 cm deep

An antique table top rosewood cylinder music box, mid 19th…

Antique Rosewood Cylinder Music Box

An antique table top rosewood cylinder music box, mid 19th century, unmarked but probably Swiss, the rosewood case with ebonised edges, box wood stringing and a central inlaid and coloured cartouche, the fully operational crank operated mechanism with…

A late 19th century tramp art carved musical jewel box, angled…

Tramp Art Musical Jewel Box

A late 19th century tramp art carved musical jewel box, angled fine notch carved bands frame the green velvet panels with gilded metal mounts including 'L.K. 1899'. The hinged lid with mirrored interior. Old decorative paper lined interior with label hand…

Early Thorens music box. Floral marquetry to lid. 6 airs.…

Antique Thorens Music Box with Floral Marquetry

Early Thorens music box. Floral marquetry to lid. 6 airs. Functional. Provenance: Australian collector. Length 45 cm

Symphonion German clockwork music box with metal playing disc…

Symphonion Music Box with Lithograph Instruction, Late 19th Century

Symphonion German clockwork music box with metal playing disc and original lithograph instruction in the lid, late 19th century, 12 cm high, 19.5 cm wide, 17.5 cm deep

Swiss cylinder music box having sixty teeth, with in internal…

Inlaid Glass Top Swiss Music Box with 60 Teeth

Swiss cylinder music box having sixty teeth, with in internal inbuilt winder, set in a timber inlaid glass top case, with a key. Length 45.5 cm

An early 20th century Swiss music box

Swiss Century Music Box

An early 20th century Swiss music box

19th century Swiss musical box with inlaid rosewood case…

Swiss Rosewood Musical Box with Six Airs

19th century Swiss musical box with inlaid rosewood case playing six airs