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#Exhibit of the Month

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The music is recorded on a cylinder with pins. The interior is divided into three compartments: the first contains the crank and the mechanism that operates the cylinder with pins, the second - the cylinder with pins and vibrating lamellae, and the third - two levers for starting and stopping the melody. The cylinder holds seven melodies by W.A. Mozart, which are played through the vibration of steel teeth arranged in a comb, whose tips are adjacent to the cylinder. The lid of the box features floral marquetry on its outer surface. This cultural asset is classified under the "Tezaur" category.

The Story of Musical Boxes

Musical boxes originated in Switzerland at the end of the 18th century. In 1796, watchmaker Antoine Favre-Salomon invented a pocket watch with an incorporated musical mechanism, using the principle of tuned metal lamellae. The invention quickly spread, soon leading to the creation of musical boxes independent of watches.

Initially invented and built for the salon entertainment of the aristocracy, musical boxes quickly evolved, capturing the market and public interest with these entertainment machines. The musical box industry was predominantly centered in Switzerland. Geneva remains the cradle of the musical box, even though the art of crafting these musical wonders spread to other regions of Switzerland - such as Jura, Auberson, and Sainte Croix - and later to other countries, including France, Germany, and Czechoslovakia. Some of the most notable manufacturers of musical boxes include: Mermod Frères, Paillard, Reuge, Thorens, Cuendet, Junod, Nicole Frères, Ducommun-Girod, Brémond, and L'Epee.

The musical box operated on a relatively simple principle: a cylinder with pins (cylindrical pins) would, through rotation, actuate a metal "comb" tuned to specific musical notes, both being concealed from view in one of the box's compartments. By turning the cylinder - with the help of a spring mechanism (similar to that of watches) - the pins would strike the steel "teeth" of the comb, causing them to vibrate and produce different musical notes. A musical box could have a limited number of melodies "programmed" onto the cylinder - from 4 to 12.

Over time, the cylinders were replaced with interchangeable metal discs. Based on this operating principle, large musical boxes emerged in cafés and taverns, which could be activated by inserting a coin, allowing users to select their preferred disc.

Besides the ingenious mechanism, musical boxes also stood out for the artistry of their exterior decorations, featuring materials such as precious woods, mother-of-pearl, ivory, and metal.

The decline of musical boxes began with the invention of the phonograph (1877) and the gramophone (1887). Production continued for a while, but by the early 20th century, most renowned companies had abandoned the business and started manufacturing other mechanical musical instruments.

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News




National Campaign for Child Protection: Child Helpline 116 111

The National Museum of History of Moldova informs the public about the launch of the "National Campaign for the Prevention and Reporting of Child Abuse and Violence," including online. This important campaign, organized by the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection in partnership with the Council of Europe Office in Chișinău, promotes the free Child Helpline service - Child Helpline 116 111...
 

To the attention of the NMHM visitors: Changing the work schedule

The National Museum of History of Moldova informs you that starting from 01.05.2024, a new work schedule will be applied in which Friday will become a scheduled day and Monday will be a non-scheduled day...
 

Dear colleagues and friends from Ukraine,

We never imagined that such a time might come. We did not believe that intelligence and common sense would be removed from the basic set of human values, and even in our worst nightmares, we did not assume that the war would darken the peaceful sky of Ukraine...
 

Notice
Workshop: Creating Narrative Bridges - Best Practices and Challenges of Teaching History in Europe

October 16, 2024

  ...
 

Events
Conferences

Exhibition "And They Saw the Voices..."

From October 10 to 20, 2024, the National Museum of History of Moldova will host the exhibition "And They Saw the Voices...", an event dedicated to commemorating the tragic events of October 7, 2023, which marked a turning point in Israel's history...
 

Opening of the Exhibition "Wings of Dreams"

The National Museum of History of Moldova, in partnership with the "Plaiul Soarelui" Foundation, is organizing a personal exhibition by Maria Radetskaya, entitled "Wings of the Dream"...
 

Opening of the Exhibition "Saint John Paul II"

The National Museum of History of Moldova (MNIM) is preparing to open the doors to a remarkable exhibition dedicated to one of the most influential figures of the 20th century, "Saint John Paul II"...
 

The exhibition "Metallurgy – from Magic to Industry"

The exhibition "Metallurgy - from Magic to Industry" aims to recreate the stages of development of this craft through metal artifacts held by the National Museum of History of Moldova...
 

Exhibition “Testimonies from the Gulag: the memory of the victims of the totalitarian-communist regime” at the Memorial of the Revolution in Timișoara, Romania

The National Museum of History of Moldova, in partnership with the Memorial of the Revolution in Timișoara, organizes on September 24, 2024, at 4:00 p.m., a new opening of the traveling exhibition "Testimonies from the Gulag: the memory of the victims of the totalitarian-communist regime"...
 

Exhibition "Astrophysicist Nicolae DONICI - 150 Years of Light"

The National Museum of History of Moldova, in partnership with the „Mihai Eminescu" Romanian Cultural Institute in Chișinău and the „Heritage 21" Foundation, will host the exhibition titled "Astrophysicist Nicolae Donici - 150 Years of Light"...
 

Exhibition "The German Colony of Emmental – Artistic Reflections"

The exhibition "The German Colony of Emmental - Artistic Reflections," organized by the National Museum of History of Moldova in partnership with the Municipality of Pervomaisc, will be inaugurated on September 17, 2024, at 1:00 PM...
 

Exhibition „War Up Close”

The National Museum of History of Moldova is pleased to announce the opening of the virtual reality exhibition "War Up Close" on August 21, 2024, at 4:00 PM. This exhibition is organized in partnership with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation's Moldova Office...
 

Exhibition "Icon of Christ - living expression of the Gospel"

The exhibition entitled "Icon of Christ - living expression of the Gospel" is dedicated to the collection of icons with a Christological theme from the heritage of the National Museum of History of Moldova...
 

An exceptional exhibition of treasures

The National Museum of History of Moldova invites you to visit the most valuable and impressive exhibition of treasures of the past exhibited in its Treasure Room....
 

Exhibitions
Museum

education
Educational and entertaining workshop “The Little Archaeologist”

Important discoveries start with great dreams!

The educational program consists of a theoretical and an applied part....
 

Creative workshop “Heraldry” (5-7 classes)

(available only in Russian)

The educational program consists of a theoretical and an applied part. The theoretical part: - What is a coat of arms...
 

SIGN UP TO EDUCATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PROJECTS!

REPORT on the monitoring of public procurement contracts for the first semester, year 2024

 ...
 

The procurement plan for the year 2024

 ...
 

REPORT on the monitoring of public procurement contracts for the second semester, year 2023

 ...
 

Public

procurements


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Independent Moldova
Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic
Bessarabia and MASSR between the Two World Wars
Bessarabia and Moldavian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic in the Period between the Two World Wars
Revival of National Movement
Time of Reforms and their Consequences
Abolition of Autonomy. Bessarabia – a New Tsarist Colony
Period of Relative Autonomy of Bessarabia within the Russian Empire
Phanariot Regime
Golden Age of the Romanian Culture
Struggle for Maintaining of Independence of Moldova
Formation of Independent Medieval State of Moldova
Era of the
Great Nomad Migrations
Early Middle Ages
Iron Age and Antiquity
Bronze Age
Aeneolithic Age
Neolithic Age
Palaeolithic Age
  
October 15 - November 15, 2024
 
October 17 – October 31, 2024
 
October 21 - November 8, 2024
 
October 16-30, 2024
 
August 21 – November 20, 2024
 
Over 2500 pieces made of precious metals with historic, artistic and symbolic value
  

Come to Museum! Discover the History!
  
Visit museum
Visit museum
Summer schedule: daily
10am – 6pm.

Winter schedule: daily
10am – 5pm.
Closed on Mondays.
Entrance fees:  adults - 10 MDL, pensioners, adults with moderate disabilities / disability of the 3rd degree, students - 5 MDL, school students - 2 MDL. Free access: enlisted men (...)

WiFi Free Wi-Fi Zone in the museum: In the courtyard of the National History Museum of Moldova there is Wi-Fi Internet access for visitors.


#Exhibit of the Month

The music is recorded on a cylinder with pins. The interior is divided into three compartments: the first contains the crank and the mechanism that operates the cylinder with pins, the second - the cylinder with pins and vibrating lamellae, and the third - two levers for starting and stopping the melody...

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The National Museum of History of Moldova takes place among the most significant museum institutions of the Republic of Moldova, in terms of both its collection and scientific reputation.
©2006-2024 National Museum of History of Moldova
Visit museum 31 August 1989 St., 121 A, MD 2012, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
Phones:
Secretariat: +373 (22) 24-43-25
Department of Public Relations and Museum Education: +373 (22) 24-04-26
Fax: +373 (22) 24-43-69
E-mail: office@nationalmuseum.md
Technical Support: info@nationalmuseum.md
Web site administration and maintenance: Andrei EMILCIUC

 



The National Museum of History of Moldova takes place among the most significant museum institutions of the Republic of Moldova, in terms of both its collection and scientific reputation.
©2006-2024 National Museum of History of Moldova
Visit museum 31 August 1989 St., 121 A, MD 2012, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
Phones:
Secretariat: +373 (22) 24-43-25
Department of Public Relations and Museum Education: +373 (22) 24-04-26
Fax: +373 (22) 24-43-69
E-mail: office@nationalmuseum.md
Technical Support: info@nationalmuseum.md
Web site administration and maintenance: Andrei EMILCIUC

menu
The National Museum of History of Moldova takes place among the most significant museum institutions of the Republic of Moldova, in terms of both its collection and scientific reputation.
©2006-2024 National Museum of History of Moldova
Visit museum 31 August 1989 St., 121 A, MD 2012, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
Phones:
Secretariat: +373 (22) 24-43-25
Department of Public Relations and Museum Education: +373 (22) 24-04-26
Fax: +373 (22) 24-43-69
E-mail: office@nationalmuseum.md
Technical Support: info@nationalmuseum.md
Web site administration and maintenance: Andrei EMILCIUC