The word ‘polyphon’ comes from the Greek ‘polyphony, ’ meaning ‘many voices.’ The polyphon is a musical instrument that plays music by mechanical means. The person operating the device only needs to turn the crank or wind the spring, which does not require any musical knowledge. These instruments are popularly called music boxes, and indeed they have the shape of a small box with a hinged lid

The polyphon from the Tomsk History Museum collection was produced in Germany. The rectangular box holding the musical movement is made of noble wood species. There is a hand crank inside, which fires up the polyphon. The lid is elegantly decorated with floral patterns on the top side and a picture of children playing and dancing in the garden on the bottom.

The polyphon plays metal discs. Tunes were transferred to such discs through the means of perforation, with small rectangular holes being punched out in a circle to contain the ‘pattern’ of a certain musical piece. In order for the polyphon to play, you would need to wind the spring, put on a disc, press it down with a special piece, and then release the spring. This would make the metal disc start spinning, and the polyphon would finally begin to play music. Special pins would go into the holes on the disc, producing a melodic ringing similar to the gentle sound of a harpsichord.

Polyphons were very rare outside of major cities. They were only produced abroad, where they most likely appeared only as late as the last quarter of the 19th century. They were brought from Europe to Russia only near the end of the century. However, wealthy townspeople strived to acquire this musical innovation for their homes: both for the purpose of entertainment and as a piece of interior decoration. The fate of these musical instruments is woeful, in a way: hardly had they become widespread when they were replaced by gramophones and, shortly afterwards, the radio.

The exhibit on display in the merchant’s drawing room is still in working condition. During various events, the museum invites its guests to listen to its sound.