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.
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. X [XXV], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Keywords: ads, advertising, street advertisements, promotional items, packaging, poster.
Abstract: The National Museum of History of Moldova for the first time held a temporary exhibition dedicated to the history of advertising in Bessarabia (19th century 1930s). It was presented to the public in the hall upstairs from 24 December 2015 to 15 February 2016. The exhibition "Advertisements in Bessarabia" was aimed at promoting the museum collections, especially periodical press fund. It included about 106 exhibits. Newspapers were the most important means of advertising before the advent of radio and television. Selected advertisements contain information about the trading houses, factories, hotels, shops, bank offices, bars, theater and circus in Bessarabia, mainly in Chisinau. Images of Chisinau streets and buildings of previous years introduced the visitors to the atmosphere of bygone days. In the showcases promotional items were exhibited. As carriers of advertising information there were represented packages of goods. The exhibition was supplemented by the reconstruction of a kiosk of the late 19th century. The creators of the exhibition sought to immerse its visitors into the world of desires, expectations and values of the society in a certain historical period.
Vera Serjant
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
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
Bessarabian daily newspapers as a means of advertising. From the collection of periodicals of NMHM (end of 19th - early 20th centuries)
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. IX [XXIV], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie Chișinău, 2015
Vera Serjant
The legacy of Vasile Stroescu
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. XIV [XXIX], nr. 2, Istorie. Muzeologie
Vera Serjant
Petru Ungurean – an outstanding figure in the field of viticulture and winemaking (on the collections of the National Museum of History of Moldova)
Tyragetia, serie nouă, vol. XV [XXX], 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.