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Catalog Data

Physical Description:
tortoise shell (overall material)
metal (overall 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
Date made:
1830-1840
Description:
<p>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:</p>
<p>VUE DU PORT DE BREST</p>
<p>Clever miniature portable devices, musical snuff boxes such as this one were called <i>carillons à musique</i>. 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.</p>
Location:
Currently not on view
Credit Line:
Gift of E. M. Marbury
ID Number:
MI.204576b
Accession number:
36046
Catalog number:
204576b
See more items in:
Culture and the Arts: Musical Instruments
Music & Musical Instruments
Family & Social Life
Mechanical Musical Instruments
Data Source:
National Museum of American History
GUID:
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a4-2554-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:nmah_605766