Object Details
- Description
This music box was made an undetermined maker, probably Switzerland, around 1830-1840. It is a musical snuff box, with 2 tunes. The music box has a segmented comb with 17 4-teeth sections. The cylinder is 2-13/32" long. The music box is activated by a key wound spring. Carved on the music box top:
VUE DU PORT DE BREST
Clever miniature portable devices, musical snuff boxes such as this one were called carillons à musique. Highly desired objects of status and crafted primarily in Switzerland, they influenced the development and popularity of all music box production in the 19th century. This musical snuff box was likely a souvenir from Brest, France.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
- date made
- 1830 - 1840
- Credit Line
- Gift of E. M. Marbury
- Physical Description
- tortoise shell (case material)
- metal, brass (works material)
- metal, steel (works material)
- horn, semi-transparent (inner lid material)
- Measurements
- overall: 3/4 in x 3 1/4 in x 2 in; 1.905 cm x 8.255 cm x 5.08 cm
- Object Name
- music box
