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 more...

The Polyphon music box was invented in 1870 by Gustave Brachhausen and Paul Riessner in Leipzig, Germany. However, full-scale production didn't begin until around 1897 and continued into the early 20th century. Unlike traditional music boxes that play melodies from pinned cylinders, Polyphon music boxes utilized metal discs with punched holes. As the disc rotated, the holes would pluck metal teeth of a comb, creating the music. This allowed for a wider range of sounds and more complex melodies compared to traditional music boxes.

Polyphon music boxes were prized for their high quality and beautiful sound. They were more...

34 items found:

These items have been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.

Antique coin operated polyphon music box with key lock door…

Antique Coin-Operated Polyphon Music Box with Extra Disks

Antique coin operated polyphon music box with key lock door opening to the polyphon player and fold out disk holder, numerous extra 28 cm disks included, 53 cm wide, 34 cm deep, 158 cm high, in working order, 34.

Polyphon on stand, late 19th century, German double comb music…

Botanic Polyphon Music Box on Edwardian Cabinet

Polyphon on stand, late 19th century, German double comb music box, with fruitwood marquetry inlay, and carved Botanic decoration, mounted on Edwardian two door cabinet, with turned arrow legs, includes approximately fifty eight 19 5/8 discs, Polyphon…

A 19th century walnut cased Polyphon, the tabletop player with…

Walnut Polyphon Tabletop Player with 25 Discs

A 19th century walnut cased Polyphon, the tabletop player with inlaid lid opening to reveal a picture inset under the lid and the mechanism with gilt metal fittings, tempo-regulator and steel player comb, retailers sticker, sits on small table with a deep…

A German Polyphon single-comb musical box with ten discs, circa…

Antique German Polyphon Musical Box with 10 Discs

A German Polyphon single-comb musical box with ten discs, circa 1900, the 11-inch tabletop Polyphon in walnut case, the hinged lid with floral inlaid panel opening to a picture inset under the lid and interior mechanism with lever-wind, single steel comb,…

Polyphon vintage music box, mahogany music case in working…

Vintage Mahogany Music Box with 12 Records

Polyphon vintage music box, mahogany music case in working condition together with twelve original records

Small musical disc player or polyphon marked Kalliope, together…

Kalliope Disc Player with 8 Discs

Small musical disc player or polyphon marked Kalliope, together with 8 discs, working when tested, 16 cm high, 29 cm wide, 27.5 cm deep

A c.1900 Kalliope German polyphon disc player, the walnut case…

Kalliope German Polyphon Disc Player with Dancing Women Lithograph

A c.1900 Kalliope German polyphon disc player, the walnut case with hinged lid with lithograph fixed to the interior of two dancing woman, complete with single 13¼' disc and side winding handle. The case 40 x 38 x 17.5 cm with makers name carved to lid.

15.5 inch Polyphon twin comb table top disc music box in walnut…

Polyphon Music Box with Carved Walnut Case and Storage Cupboard

15.5 inch Polyphon twin comb table top disc music box in walnut case with carved & marquetry lid storage cupboard & handle

A 19th century walnut cased Polyphon, along with numerous…

19th Century Walnut Polyphon with Pierced Player Discs

A 19th century walnut cased Polyphon, along with numerous pierced player discs, the tabletop player with inlaid lid opening to reveal a picture inset under the lid and the mechanism with gilt metal fittings, tempo-regulator and steel player comb. Working…

Polyphon musical clock in architectural timber case, with 6…

Antique Polyphon Musical Clock in Timber Case (1900)

Polyphon musical clock in architectural timber case, with 6 discs, circa 1900, 56 cm high

Musical childs pull toy in the form of a painted early Benz…

Polyphon Benz Pull Toy

Musical childs pull toy in the form of a painted early Benz model motor car. Fitted with an earlier Polyphon disc player. Circa 1900

Polyphon table top music box late 19th century. For 42 discs.…

Polyphon Tabletop Music Box with 42 Discs and 10 Records

Polyphon table top music box late 19th century. For 42 discs. With ten 11 (28 cm) discs

Lochmann original 68 Polyphon table top, 17 disc. With eight…

Lochmann Polyphon Table Top with Rialto Bridge Image

Lochmann original 68 Polyphon table top, 17 disc. With eight percussion Bells. Top inset inside with photograph image. Of the Rialto bridge. Circa 1895. Width 68 cm

Barnett Henry Abrahams (BHA) Polyphon the Britannia. Table top,…

BHA Polyphon Britannia: Walnut Table Top Music Box

Barnett Henry Abrahams (BHA) Polyphon the Britannia. Table top, Serial number 1297. 9 disc, in walnut case. Width 43 cm

Schutmarke 15 inch Polyphon in walnut case. Serial number 65463.…

Walnut Polyphon with Musical Putti - 15 inch

Schutmarke 15 inch Polyphon in walnut case. Serial number 65463. Lid with internal insert. Panel with printed image of musical putti. Width 53 cm

Small Polyphon table top disc. In walnut case. Style 46 with 9?…

Walnut Polyphon Table Top Disc Player

Small Polyphon table top disc. In walnut case. Style 46 with 9? discs. Serial number 29456. Width 31 cm

A fine walnut upright disk 'Polyphon' with fifteen Disks, circa…

Antique Coin-Operated Polyphon with 15 Disks and Glazed Case

A fine walnut upright disk 'Polyphon' with fifteen Disks, circa 1900, Polyphon Musikwerke, Leipzig Germany, housed in glazed case with carved crest details, finials and pilasters, mark, of 'Polyphon' to the cornice, having a coin operated mechanism with…

A 19th century German upright Polyphon music machine with…

19th Century German Polyphon Music Machine with 10 Disks

A 19th century German upright Polyphon music machine with reproduction pediment, 'Penny in the Slot' walnut case with glass front and turned column sides. Together with ten music disks. Pediment with carved scallop shell and scroll over turned finial (one…

A rare oak cased Grandfather polyphon clock. Maker: The Regina…

Rare Regina Grandfather Polyphon Clock with Disc Records

A rare oak cased Grandfather polyphon clock. Maker: The Regina Company, Rahway New Jersey. With a selection of metal disc records. Serial no. 3000002. 250 cm high, 64 cm wide, 37 cm deep.

An uncommon late 19th century Polyphon small disc music box,…

Late 19th Century Polyphon Music Box with 27 Discs

An uncommon late 19th century Polyphon small disc music box, the walnut case with 'Polyphon' inset to the lid, opening to reveal the mechanism with numerous revolving teeth, transfer decorated with 'Musterschutz No. 17474'. Arm wind central spline…

Early Polyphon. Takes 8 and a quarter inch discs. Running but…

Functional Early Polyphon with 8.25" Discs

Early Polyphon. Takes 8 and a quarter inch discs. Running but unserviced. As inspected. Height 14 cm width 15 cm Depth 23 cm

Small Polyphon 6½in disc music box, with polished walnut case,…

Antique Polyphon Music Box with 5 Discs

Small Polyphon 6½in disc music box, with polished walnut case, five discs and box key. Needs adjustments, c.1895. Provenance: Bryan Jackson collection of music boxes and toys

Beautiful Polyphon 15½in-disc table music box in type 45 style,…

Polyphon Music Box with Carved Walnut Case and 15 Discs

Beautiful Polyphon 15½in-disc table music box in type 45 style, with carved and inlaid walnut case, fitted with two Zither type dampers, one on each comb, with fifteen discs. In playing condition but needs some adjustments. It can also play Regina 15½in…

Polyphon 5 auto changing 22 inch disc music box, penny coin…

Rare Auto Changing Polyphon Music Box

Polyphon 5 auto changing 22 inch disc music box, penny coin operated with associated disc bin containing multiple titles. Restored and in fine working condition, auto changing polyphon of this caliber are extremely rare and desirable, the last example…

A 19th century walnut cased polyphon, along with numerous…

19th Century Walnut Polyphon with Player Discs

A 19th century walnut cased polyphon, along with numerous pierced player discs, the tabletop player with inlaid lid opening to reveal a picture inset under the lid and the mechanism with gilt metal fittings, tempo-regulator and steel player comb. Working…

Swiss Polyphon. Small oak cased movement with two teeth missing…

Swiss Polyphon with Missing Teeth and Discs

Swiss Polyphon. Small oak cased movement with two teeth missing from comb. Includes 18 x 8 inch discs. Estate late Douglas Osborne Hawke. W27 cm

German 19th century walnut cased Polyphon musical disc player…

19th Century Walnut Polyphon Disc Player with 17 Discs

German 19th century walnut cased Polyphon musical disc player with a winder, 16.5 cm steel comb movement, cast baseplate, lithographed cherub print to underside of lid, the top inlaid with foliate decoration, together with seventeen 396 mm metal discs.…

A walnut cased Polyphon flat bed Symphonium the hinged square…

Walnut Polyphon Symphonium with 18 discs

A walnut cased Polyphon flat bed Symphonium the hinged square lid centred by a foliate marquetry panel, accompanied by 18 discs, 40 cm wide

Mahogany cased Polyphon with discs (23)

Mahogany Polyphon with 23 Discs

Mahogany cased Polyphon with discs (23)

A fine Victorian walnut Polyphon box, late 19th century,…

Victorian Walnut Polyphon Music Box

A fine Victorian walnut Polyphon box, late 19th century, Leipzig, the sarcophagus shaped walnut and burr walnut box with a stepped floral inlaid lid surrounded by foliate relief carving, the sides with panels and turned pilasters to each edge above a…

A Polyphon 8 ¼ inch disc type musical box c.1900, mahogany case…

Antique Polyphon Musical Box with 26 Discs

A Polyphon 8 ¼ inch disc type musical box c.1900, mahogany case with 26 discs manufactured Leipzig Germany. Height15 cm. Width 26 cm. Depth 24 cm

A German disc musical box by Polyphon with label

Polyphon German Disc Musical Box with Label

A German disc musical box by Polyphon with label

Upright penny Polyphon. Arched and fretted door in column…

Polyphon Upright Penny with Arched Door and Missing Pediment

Upright penny Polyphon. Arched and fretted door in column fronted case. Functioning, unrestored. Missing pediment. Height 96 cm. Width 70 cm. Diameter 40 cm

Walnut cased upright Polyphon, ornate columned case under…

Ornate Walnut Polyphon Upright Music Box

Walnut cased upright Polyphon, ornate columned case under decorated pediment. Coin in the slot mechanism, including 15 discs. Functional, requires restoration. Knobs missing from underdrawer. Height 132 cm