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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.

Virtual Tour


Exhibitions

"A history of the oldest inhabited city in Romania - Constanța"

May 18 – June 30, 2024

The Constanța National History and Archeology Museum, in partnership with the National History Museum of Moldova in Chisinau, Republic of Moldova, organizes on Saturday, May 18, 2024, 1:00 p.m., at the headquarters of the National History Museum of Moldova, the opening of the temporary exhibition: A history of the oldest inhabited city in Romania - Constanța.

The cultural event was prepared by the specialists of the Constanța National History and Archeology Museum: Dr. Sorin Marcel Colesniuc, Dr. Aurel Mototolea, Dr. Tiberiu Potârniche, Dr. Delia Cornea, Dr. Cristian Cealera, Dr. Lavinia Dumitrașcu and Eng. Ada Marcu, in collaboration with the specialists of the National History Museum of Moldova: dr.hab. Eugen Sava and Dr. Livia Ermurachi.

As the title suggests, the temporary exhibition A history of the oldest inhabited city in Romania - Constanta presents, on 30 panels, the history of the city of Constanta, from its foundation to the present day. The panels were organized as follows: In the beginning was the legend; Greek colonization and the Tomis war; The beginnings of Roman rule; The exile of the poet Publius Ovidius Naso to Tomis; Amphitheater, wrestling and gladiators at Tomis; Tomis - the capital of the province of Scythia Minor; The emergence and development of Christianity in the light of archaeological evidence; From Tomi to Constantiana; Küstenge - Constanta. 1800 - 1870; Ottoman Constanta. Religious architecture - mosques and windows; Ottoman Constanta. Secular architecture - Casa Beiului; Constance English; The port in the life of the city - Antiquity; The port in the life of the city - the Ottoman period; The port in the life of the city - innovation and modernity; Royal Constance (2 panels); The city of Constanța and the people of Constanta in the First World War; The general plan of the city of Constanța in the interwar period; Walking through interwar Constanța (3 panels); Constanța - city beaches; Personalities of Constanta; Constanța under the bombings of the Second World War; Constanța - aspects of the urban development in the period 1948 - 1989; The Constanta Museum - emblematic institution of our city; The treasury of sculptures from Tomis; From the collections of the Constanta museum (2 panels).

On behalf of the Museum of National History and Archeology Constanta, scientific researcher Dr. Sorin Marcel Colesniuc will be present at the opening of the temporary exhibition in Chisinau, who will present the work of the team of specialists of the Constanta museum, as well as the history of the city of Constanta from Antiquity to Contemporary .


 




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
  
  

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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