What You May Want to Know About Antique Music Box

Have you ever seen a small ballerina figurine dancing around in circles on top of what seems to be an open jewelry box? You have probably also heard a soft soothing sound that accompanied the ballerina’s dance. If so, then you’ve seen and heard a music box.

Music boxes come in different sizes, shapes and sounds but the basic component of a music box is basically the same. There is music produced by a revolving cylinder striking a set of tuned steel comb. The animation, if any, is just a variation. Design is also in wide variety so are its concept and style.

Music boxes became popular in the late 19^th century to the beginning of the 20^th century.

Music box was mass produced during that period. They were made mostly by expert watchmakers and majority of the production is concentrated in Switzerland. There are also mass producers in Germany and United States.

Some of the music boxes produced in its golden era have survived the ages. These are now classified as antiques. As in all antiques they are considered valuable because of age. An antique music box, however is not exclusively made during those age. Many collectors would consider something over 50 years old as an antique. It is not surprising therefore if one would see Cinderella, Snow white and other Disney characters in its design.

We may think of music box as something as small as jewelry box. Music boxes, however comes in many sizes. One may find a music box as big as full-size furniture. Music boxes may also be integrated in other antiques such as paintings, clocks, and some furniture.

What do we need to look for in an antique music box? Well, aside from the obvious age another thing to consider is the components. The most common music box is one that uses a revolving cylinder that strikes a set of steel comb that produces distinguishable tones. Another form uses interchangeable metal disc instead of the cylinder. Some rarer types of antique music box use strings similar to a violin. This is called the mandolin music box. Another type is the orchestra music box. It incorporates drums, bells and organ to make music. One rare form of music box is tagged as the most impressive of them all. It’s called the revolver music box. It uses a number of cylinders set in a revolving shaft so that each cylinder would strike the metal comb at a given time.

Whatever the size, style and make an antique music box is a valuable collection. No wonder many people make its collection both a hobby and an investment. Like any other antiques the music box becomes valuable with age. But one has to consider too that this is a musical machine. And so it is important that the music it produces will be pleasing to the ear. Of course, the overall appearance should be a sight to behold. The incorporation of various animations also helped in making this work of art as valuable as it is today.