3/70 Composition Tabatiere
Bought at auction
A Beautiful Georgian music box with the prose of "li intéressante et grosse farceuse" in pressed horn, depicting French Soldiers, with Brass movement, playing on three airs.
Measuring: 11cms x 6.7cms x 3.5cms.
A Beautiful Georgian music box with the prose of "li intéressante et grosse farceuse" in pressed horn, depicting French Soldiers, with Brass movement, playing on three airs.
Measuring: 11cms x 6.7cms x 3.5cms.
This box is in superb condition for its age and plays beautifully.
I have no immediate plans to do anything to it, but the movement will get a clean & service when I have time.
I have no immediate plans to do anything to it, but the movement will get a clean & service when I have time.
Tunes
Initial information by Gemini so it needs a lot of checking and interpretation.
1. Jahrmarkts Polka — Strauss
Composer: Likely Johann Strauss II (the "Waltz King") or his brother Josef Strauss.
Background: The title translates to "Fairground Polka" or "Annual Fair Polka." The Strauss family dominated the dance floors of Europe during this time. This specific piece was a "Polka-schnell" (quick polka), designed to be high-energy and playful—perfect for the bright, mechanical plucking of a music box. It often featured "toy" sounds or imitations of fairground hustle in its orchestral version.
2. I Masnadieri: Coro "Le rube, gli stupri..." — Verdi
Composer: Giuseppe Verdi
Background: I Masnadieri (The Bandits) premiered in London in 1847. This specific tune is the infamous "Coro di Ladroni" (Chorus of Brigands) from Act 3.
The Lyrics: The handwriting "Le rube gli stupri" refers to the opening line: "Le rube, gli incendi, gli stupri, le morti..." (The robberies, the arsons, the rapes, the deaths...).
Note: Despite the very dark subject matter of the lyrics, the music is surprisingly jaunty and upbeat! It was a very popular melody for music boxes because of its rhythmic, driving pace.
3. No. 4 Valse nel "Il Giuocatore" — Giorza
Composer: Paolo Giorza (1832–1914)
Background: Giorza was a prolific Italian composer primarily known for his ballet music. Il Giuocatore (The Gambler) was a ballet choreographed by Giuseppe Rota that premiered around 1857.
Context: In the mid-19th century, Giorza was the "king of the ballet" in Milan (Teatro alla Scala). Music box manufacturers loved his work because it was melodic, elegantly phrased, and translated beautifully to a mechanical instrument. This is the 4th waltz movement from that specific production.
Initial information by Gemini so it needs a lot of checking and interpretation.
1. Jahrmarkts Polka — Strauss
Composer: Likely Johann Strauss II (the "Waltz King") or his brother Josef Strauss.
Background: The title translates to "Fairground Polka" or "Annual Fair Polka." The Strauss family dominated the dance floors of Europe during this time. This specific piece was a "Polka-schnell" (quick polka), designed to be high-energy and playful—perfect for the bright, mechanical plucking of a music box. It often featured "toy" sounds or imitations of fairground hustle in its orchestral version.
2. I Masnadieri: Coro "Le rube, gli stupri..." — Verdi
Composer: Giuseppe Verdi
Background: I Masnadieri (The Bandits) premiered in London in 1847. This specific tune is the infamous "Coro di Ladroni" (Chorus of Brigands) from Act 3.
The Lyrics: The handwriting "Le rube gli stupri" refers to the opening line: "Le rube, gli incendi, gli stupri, le morti..." (The robberies, the arsons, the rapes, the deaths...).
Note: Despite the very dark subject matter of the lyrics, the music is surprisingly jaunty and upbeat! It was a very popular melody for music boxes because of its rhythmic, driving pace.
3. No. 4 Valse nel "Il Giuocatore" — Giorza
Composer: Paolo Giorza (1832–1914)
Background: Giorza was a prolific Italian composer primarily known for his ballet music. Il Giuocatore (The Gambler) was a ballet choreographed by Giuseppe Rota that premiered around 1857.
Context: In the mid-19th century, Giorza was the "king of the ballet" in Milan (Teatro alla Scala). Music box manufacturers loved his work because it was melodic, elegantly phrased, and translated beautifully to a mechanical instrument. This is the 4th waltz movement from that specific production.