Cylinder Music Box
Object NameMusic Box
Mediumwood, metal and paper
Dimensions13 1/4 × 6 3/4 × 7 in. (33.7 × 17.1 × 17.8 cm)
ClassificationsMusical Instruments
Credit LineGift of Donald E. Larew to the Farm House Museum. In the Farm House Museum Collection, Farm House Museum, University Museums, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.
Object numberUM2011.435
Status
Not on viewLabel TextThis Swiss made “Excelsior-Piccolo” cylinder music box is an example of the mass produced boxes on the market in the later 19th century. Its detailing is meant to invoke connections to the earlier, artisan built, music boxes of the 1860s. This box however, was most likely crafted for mass consumption by the middle class public.
This box is interesting as it has an adjustable plate above the comb that can be lowered into contact with it. This was called a “zither” attachment. These were marketed to create a double note and make the music more enticing, however it seemed to only deaden the natural sound of the comb and as such they were usually removed and discarded. To have an intact zither attachment is quite rare.
The 13-inch cylinder stores 12 airs and is of a non-removable design. The downside to such a large amount of music is that sacrifices in musical range had to be made. There are only 62 teeth in this box, far less than what would be found in a smaller box made decades earlier. The solid brass base plate combined with the sheer size of this box does give it a room filling range. This box is of a later design because the base plate is shaped to support the inner mechanics of the box but not to absorb any more vibration than was absolutely necessary.
Like other cylinder designs one winds the play spring by means of the crank lever and begins playback with the lower lever on the right side of the cylinder housing.
Plays 12 songs:
1. Mikado
2. Martua - The Last Rose
3. Hush the Bogimen (see #1)
4. La Mascotte, Chanson
5. Annie Laurie
6. Nancy Lee
7. Iolanthe - Oh Foolish Fay
8. Auld Lang Syne
9. When Othollips
10. Happy Be Thy Dreams
11. The Blue Bells of Scotland
12. Home Sweet Home
Object Name: Calling Card Reciving Tray / Stand
Derby Silver Co.
1882
Object number: UM2016.628
Object Name: Print
Samuel L. Margolies
1937
Object number: UM82.223
Object Name: Drawing
Frank Miller
1972
Object number: UM83.123
