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.
Some reflections about the advertisement in Bessarabia (end of the 19th - beginning of the 20th centuries)
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. III [XVIII], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
The end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century is characterized by a considerable growth of the advertisement’s role in developing the trade and industry in many foreign countries. An increase of this process in Russia takes place during the democratic reforms implemented in the 60ies of the 19th century. The development of the advertisement in Bessarabia registers significant proportions. The public’s interest for certain goods, books, shows, services had been stirred and earned through posters, placards, panels, and, certainly, through the prints. The most spread ways of advertisement were: the street and printed publicity.
I will refer in this article only to some aspects of the organization and functioning of the Bessarabian advertisement system at the border of the centuries. It focuses firstly on the special institutions that were making advertisement – the publicity bureaus. The first bureau of publicity from Bessarabia was founded in 1889 by H. Iuliș and A. Bluștein. It was the only bureau of this profile from southern Russia.
Some painter workshops were making advertisement as well. Still, most of publicity was performed by the publishing houses. They were editing periodicals, which had the main role in promoting products and services on the Bessarabian market.
The editorial stuff of the publications turned into points of collecting ads; they were intermediaries between the producers and the costumers. The rubric „Anunțuri” (Advertisement) was present in most of the publishing programs. The commercial publicity became an important factor for the local periodical press’ financial stability. The advertisement played a part in the development of the press.
The advertisement made its contribution to a dynamic commercial and industrial activity in Bessarabia. It became a strong tool against the big competition predominating in the capitalist world.
Vera Serjant
V. Dokuchaev Commemorative Medal in the collection of the National Museum of History of Moldova
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. XVI [XXXI], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Vera Serjant
Advertising factories, plants and warehouses in Bessarabian press (end of 19th - beginning of 20th centuries)
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. IV [XIX], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Vera Serjant
The legacy of Vasile Stroescu
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. XIV [XXIX], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Vera Serjant
Materials related to the elite of the nobility of Bessarabia – the families of Cantacuzin and Krupensky in the collections of the National Museum of the History of Moldova
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. XI [XXVI], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Vera Serjant
The magazine „Kishinyovskie Eparkhial′nye Vedomosti" („Chisinau Diocesan Journal") as a means of advertising (1867-1917)
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. VIII [XXIII], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
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 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.
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.
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.
31 August 1989 St., 121 A, MD 2012, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
