#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. 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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Publications

Albums

Eugen Sava, Aurelia Cornețchi, Elena Postică, Elena Ploșnița

National Museum of History of Moldova 1983-2013

Series “Albums” I, Chisinau, 2013. 191 p. ISBN 978-9975-80-811-8.

Founded in 1983, the National Museum of History of Moldova has become over the years a cultural and scientific institution with recognized identity, an important segment of the national memory. Ever since its creation, the museum has permanently pleaded for protection, scientific and public use of historical-cultural heritage; it became scene of specialist scientific debate, lead and created rules in Moldovan museography, proposed and promoted law projects in this field, various legal acts, promoted continuously a cultural and scientific dialogue, always campaigned for exhibition accessible to a large public.

Nowadays, the museum holds an important place in the hierarchy of Moldovan museum system given the contribution to the development of Moldovan museology gradually evolving into an institution with individuality and given its attitude towards the public which is supporting the museum and perceiving it as part of daily culture.

At the end of 2013, the National Museum of History marked the 30^th anniversary from its foundation. The anniversary was marked by the publication of the Album National Museum of History of Moldova 1983-2013. The work was inspired by the respect for the museum and its audience, by the knowledge of national values and the need to present and promote the museum institution. Also, the album is a tribute to all those who through their concerns have contributed to the creation and development of the National Museum of History. The album is an intellectual achievement worthy for the documental history presented.

Printed with hardcover, the content of the volume illustrates key moments and events relating to the organization and development of the museum over 30 years. The album is structured in several sections: Foreword, Short history, Heritage, Exhibitions, Scientific activities, Cultural-educational events, Personnel. Regarded as a whole, the album represents a valuable contribution to the development of Moldovan museology. The volume contains around 170 images reflecting museum's various activities, development of the institution during its 30 years of existence and shows the most significant museum exhibits displayed in the permanent exhibition, in temporary exhibitions and preserved in museum collections. The pictures are of good graphic quality. The images were used by authors to present the museum's past and present.

The reader enters the museum world with the Forward signed by dr.hab. Eugen Sava, general director of the museum, which presents shortly the foundation, evolution and significance of this museum institution. Each compartment is distinguished by a unique design developed by Ivan Litsiuk. The album was prepared by dr. hab. Eugen Sava, Aurelia Cornețchi, dr. Elena Postică, dr.hab. Elena Ploșnița.

The album is a new contribution to a deeper knowledge of Moldovan museological past, an intellectual achievement worthy of note by documentary value and usefulness of the approach in general.

Published in 2013 at the publishing house Bons offices from Chișinău, the album is intended for all those interested and passionate by museum and heritage, wherefore all texts are given in three languages: Romanian, English and Russian. .

Elena Ploșnița