Musical box
Category
Musical instruments, devices and recordings
Date
Unknown
Materials
Cardboard, wood and metal
Measurements
76mm length; 125mm height; 90mm diameter
Place of origin
Germany
Order this imageCollection
Sudbury Hall Museum of Childhood, Derbyshire
NT 660343
Summary
A patented musical box called 'revotina'. This consists of an open ended cardboard cylinder with a large red painted wooden handle on the side at the top, attached to a thin metal rod which extends across the centre of the tin. Under this fixed inside the top of the cylinder, is a metal plate divided into segments. The underside of this plate has seventeen single metal strips pointing to the centre. On top of this plate is another with just four larger prongs radiating from a central solid piece. The underside of this has a single pointer. When the handle is turned, this pointer hits the metal strips, playing a tune. The top of the tin has a red painted metal rim and a dark red coloured cardboard border decorated with cherubs dancing and playing instruments. The highly decorated coloured paper covering on the cylinder portrays a jester, a cream circle saying 'REVOTINA/MUSICAL ECHO' and a tin with fruit coming out of it. Diagonally across on a red background are the words REVOTINA, in white, and 'OR MUSICAL ECHO' in black. Printed above this is 'Wiers Patent No.19/Made in Germany', and below it 'Deutsches/Reichs Patent/No.31652'. Around the base is printed a pattern in green and red on a blue background, edged with bands of red and yellow. The picture depicts the revotina being swung around by the handle to make it 'sing'.
Marks and inscriptions
Top of cylinder: Xmas 1858