The history of music boxes dates back to the end of the 18th century: in 1796, Antoine Favre, a watchmaker from Geneva, invented a device that could play simple tunes. The first versions of this device were quite primitive and could easily fit into a perfume bottle or a fireplace clock. The form of the box was introduced two decades later when the first musical ‘comb’ was invented.
The metal part of the music box, which was the main element of the device, was called a comb because it was similar to it. It worked like this: a cylinder with small pins rotated inside the music box, the pins touched the teeth of the comb and produced music. When the tine was over, the cylinder returned to its original position. This mechanism could play several tunes, and the music could last for up to a minute. Usually the most characteristic and recognizable part of the song was usually chosen for music boxes because there was no possibility to play the whole tune.
The fashion for music boxes came to Europe in the 18th century. In many ways, the new hobby of the aristocracy was associated with the appearance of a clock with a built-in musical mechanism, which served as an interior decoration. Musical snuffboxes were also in use and later began to be made in the form of a box.
In the 19th century, the artisans continued experimenting with household items that could produce music. Some of these items were extremely unusual. This is how this candlestick appeared — a music box was inserted into its base.
The candlestick can play only one melody. On the inside of its base, the owner could wind the spring with a small key. This could be done in advance, for example, to surprise the guests during the banquet. In this case, it was only necessary to touch the small button at the bottom of the base.
The body of the candlestick is made of brass — it was thin enough to ensure vibration, and at the same time quite strong and durable. Generally, valuable woods were used for manufacturing such boxes. Gems, ribbons, pearls, expensive fabrics, and ivory could serve as decorations.
The metal part of the music box, which was the main element of the device, was called a comb because it was similar to it. It worked like this: a cylinder with small pins rotated inside the music box, the pins touched the teeth of the comb and produced music. When the tine was over, the cylinder returned to its original position. This mechanism could play several tunes, and the music could last for up to a minute. Usually the most characteristic and recognizable part of the song was usually chosen for music boxes because there was no possibility to play the whole tune.
The fashion for music boxes came to Europe in the 18th century. In many ways, the new hobby of the aristocracy was associated with the appearance of a clock with a built-in musical mechanism, which served as an interior decoration. Musical snuffboxes were also in use and later began to be made in the form of a box.
In the 19th century, the artisans continued experimenting with household items that could produce music. Some of these items were extremely unusual. This is how this candlestick appeared — a music box was inserted into its base.
The candlestick can play only one melody. On the inside of its base, the owner could wind the spring with a small key. This could be done in advance, for example, to surprise the guests during the banquet. In this case, it was only necessary to touch the small button at the bottom of the base.
The body of the candlestick is made of brass — it was thin enough to ensure vibration, and at the same time quite strong and durable. Generally, valuable woods were used for manufacturing such boxes. Gems, ribbons, pearls, expensive fabrics, and ivory could serve as decorations.
