Polyphon
Polyphon
Category
Musical instruments, devices and recordings
Date
Unknown
Materials
Wood, metal and paper
Measurements
310 mm (length); 277 mm (width); 178 mm (height)
Order this imageCollection
Sudbury Hall Museum of Childhood, Derbyshire
NT 662691
Summary
A dark wooden rectangular ‘Polyphon’ musical box. It sits on four ball feet; the top of the lid has a mitred edge. In the centre of the lid is a cream inlaid motif which is lifting and partially missing. On the front of the box are a brass knob, which can be pulled out and a moveable metal lever protruding through a narrow slot cut into the wood. The hinged lid when opened is held in a vertical position by a brass sliding bracket. Inside the lid is a printed picture of children semi-dressed in drapery making music and dancing besides a ruined building. In the box is a gold painted metal plate surrounded by a wooden frame. Fastened to the left-hand side of this plate is a collection of toothed wheels which revolve and flick against a comb-like metal plate secured to the base. A bracket on the left holds a brass rod which goes above the wheels to connect with a spindle, which protrudes through the centre of the plate. This rod has three black collars equally spaced along its length. On the right side of the base plate is the word 'polyphon' embossed. Fastened to the inside of the front and rear of the box are two metal studs which act as axles for the two small black wheels.
Marks and inscriptions
Metal base plate inside box: POLYPHON
Makers and roles
Polyphon , maker