Pair of Antique Polyphon Disc Walnut Music Boxes – Late 19th Century

Acquire a remarkable piece of mechanical music history with this pair of late 19th-century German Polyphon tabletop music boxes. Housed in richly grained walnut cases, these instruments exemplify the peak of Victorian automated entertainment. The under-lid interiors boast vibrant, original color lithographs depicting whimsical cherubs playing instruments—a hallmark signature of classic Polyphon craftsmanship. One lid features elegant floral marquetry on its top exterior surface. [1, 2, 3] Perfect for collectors, high-end decorators, or as an esteemed executive office statement piece, these boxes showcase early industrial precision and old-world aesthetics. The set includes a total of 11 interchangeable metal disks to display alongside the boxes, emphasizing their character as true historical artifacts. [1] Dimensions • Larger Box: Height: 6 in. (15 cm) | Width: 10 in. (25.5 cm) | Depth: 9.5 in. (24 cm) • Smaller Box: Height: 4.75 in. (12 cm) | Width: 8 in. (20.3 cm) | Depth: 7.25 in. (18.4 cm) Inclusions • Smaller Box Accompaniments: Five 6 ½ inch (16.5 cm) metal disks. • Larger Box Accompaniments: Six 8 inch (20.3 cm) metal disks. Condition Report • Overall: Vintage/Antique condition commensurate with age and history. • Casing: General marks, superficial scratches, rubbing, minor fading, and standard wear to the walnut surfaces. • Disks & Hardware: Shows notable oxidation, minor bending, and spot rusting across the metal disks. • Functionality: Working condition is currently unknown and not guaranteed. Offered strictly as magnificent decorative statement objects and premium historical collectibles. ________________________________________ Historical Context & Design Application The Legacy of Polyphon Musikwerke The Polyphon Musikwerke was founded in 1870 by Gustav Adolf Brachhausen and Ernst Paul Riessner in Leipzig, Germany. Alongside Symphonie and Regina, Polyphon ruled as part of the "Big Three" of mechanical music fabrication during the height of the disc-music box era between 1895 and 1905. Before the advent of the phonograph, these devices were the ultimate luxury for home entertainment. They functioned through a spring-wound clockwork motor that rotated a perforated metal sheet. The tiny metal projections on the back of the disk plucked the teeth of a tuned steel comb, creating deep, chime-like, and resonant acoustic melodies. Interior Design & Styling Guide These late 19th-century music boxes serve as magnificent multi-use anchors across elite design settings: Executive Office / Boardroom : Place on a leather-topped desk next to brass accents and vintage books to signal heritage. Premium Living Room / Salon: Prop the larger box open on a fireplace mantle or console table to display the internal artwork. Music Room / Home Library : Arrange the metal disks fanned out around the boxes to showcase the mechanical components. The Perfect Gift Character: As a cornerstone of the hpmurr collection, this duo functions as an unmatched, thoughtful housewarming present for historical purists or a distinct milestone gift for discerning music lovers and lifelong collectors. 1. The Manufacturer and Origin Polyphon Musikwerke AG. The company was founded in Leipzig, Germany in 1889 by Gustave Brachhausen and Paul Riessner. Leipzig was the absolute global capital of mechanical disc music box production during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. 2. Trademark Visual Identifiers • The Cherub Lithograph: The colorful under-lid artwork of playful cherubs holding instruments, rings, and shields surrounding the "Polyphon" text is the exact trademark lithograph used by the Leipzig factory for their tabletop export models. • Mechanical Footprint: The central pressure bar holding down the perforated metal disc over a tuned steel comb is a classic mechanical blueprint engineered and patented during the late-Victorian German industrial boom. An exceptional offering from the hpmurr curated collection of high-end gifts and special housewarmings. This rare pairing brings authentic Late Victorian mechanical artistry into the modern premium interior.