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Musical box

ca. 1820
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 554
When wound up, the bird turns and flutters its wings while music plays. These "singing bird" boxes were especially popular in the East.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Musical box
  • Date: ca. 1820
  • Culture: Swiss, Geneva
  • Medium: Gold, enamel, diamonds
  • Dimensions: 1 3/8 x 3 1/2 in. (3.5 x 8.9 cm)
  • Classification: Metalwork-Gold and Platinum
  • Credit Line: The Frederic Danne Bequest, given by Frances L. Wilson, 1907
  • Object Number: 09.127.3a–c
  • Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
More Artwork
Essais d'autographie/ Essai de physiognomie, Rodolphe Töpffer  Swiss, Lithograph
Author Written by Rodolphe Töpffer
1842/1845
Box, Glass, gold, enamel, diamonds, possibly Italian
possibly Italian
late 18th century
Beaker, Harrachsche Hütte, White overlay glass, cut, polished, enameled, and gilt, Bohemian, Neuwelt (Nový Svet) with Prague decoration
Manufactory Harrachsche Hütte
Decorator Decorated at the workshop of Wilhelm Hoffman
ca. 1840
Music Box, Various materials, Swiss
Swiss
ca. 1820
Box with portrait of a woman said to be Mrs. Bates (1755–1811) as Flora, Alexander James Strachan  British, Gold, enamel, diamonds; ivory, British, London
Alexander James Strachan
Minaiture by Richard Cosway
1811–12

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