The cylinder music box is generally credited as being invented in Switzerland in 1796 by watchmaker Antoine Favre and was the first form of domestic recorded music making equipment. It remained a popular item for more than a hundred years and was probably replaced by the advent of the cylinder phonograph during the late nineteenth century. However, this did not deter makers in the twentieth century from continuing to produce instruments that played more modern tunes.

This instrument is labelled Thibouville Lamy who were a firm of instrument makers and dealers that operated in Paris during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. They made and sold a variety of musical instruments such as bowed and wood and brasswind instruments. They exhibited in a number of international exhibitions around the world winning medals at many of them including the Sydney and Melbourne International exhibitions in 1879 and 1880. As the nineteenth century progressed the firm gradually introduced mechanised production techniques in the manufacture of some instruments such as violins which increased their output and lowered prices. However, in regard to music boxes it has been suggested by Bulleid that the French firm L'Epee made most of the mechanisms and boxes used by Thibouville Lamy rather than manufacturing them themselves, despite claims made on the tune card that they were the manufacturers . Many movements were also made in Switzerland and then exported to dealers for further assembly and sales.

This music box is representative of the mass produced style of music box that featured an inlaid case with floral decoration on the lid. Within the museum's collection it is one of few examples that is fairly small and playing a minimal number of tunes yet it also includes additional effects such as bells and a drum. These were often used on larger instruments which played many more tunes.

Thibouville Lamy produced a variety of musical instruments including bowed, wind and brass. They are mainly noted as dealers of mechanical instruments such as music boxes rather than makers. Jerome Thibouville Lamy was based in Paris, France.

Originally purchased by donor's father, Cornelius Gorton, who was said to be mayor of Redfern around 1911. It is thought he bought the music box from an international exhibition in Melbourne. The music box has been in the family ever since.

Music box, timber / metal / glass / paper, probably made by J Thibouville Lamy, Paris, France, 1890-1911

Cylinder music box with 3 bells and drum effects. Plays 4 tunes. Polished timber case with decorative inlaid lid featuring flowers in a basket. Lid lifts to reveal inner glass lid under which is cylinder and mechanism, drum and 3 bells with hammers shaped like bees. There is a list of tunes hand written on printed card fixed to the underside of the lid. The music box plays the following tunes: Il Travatore - Coro di Zingari (The gypsy or anvil chorus), [La Movrilena], [Le Zajsateo del Monte], La Traviata - Brindis (from act 1). The tune card has an illustration of two groups of cherubs playing a variety of musical instruments. A vertical row of exhibition prize medals lines either side of tune list. There are two handles on the exterior of the box.

Made: Thibouville Lamy, Jerome; Paris, France; 1890 - 1911


Used: Melbourne, Victoria; 1906 - 1916

Used: Redfern, New South Wales; 1906 - 1916

Label on inside of lid, printed in black 'MANUFRE.D D'INSTS. DE MUSIQUE / ET DE / CORDES HARMONIQUES / JEROME THIBOUVILLE LAMY / CHEVLIER. DE LA LEG.D'HONNEUR / ET DE L'ORDRE DE / FRANCOIS JOSEPH D'AUTRICHE / HORS CONCOURS / MEMBRE DU JURY DES RECOMPENSES A L'EXPOSITION DE / PARIS 1878 / MEMBRE DU JURY DES RECOMPENSES A L'EXPOSITION DE / PARIS 1889 / MUSIQUE QUATRE AIRS 8 1/2 POUCES EAMBOUR EIMBRES Nos. 48842 / 1 Fl Erovatore " Coro Si Lingari / 3 El Lajzates Sel Monte / 2 La Moudrilema / 4 La Eroviata " Brindisi / MELBOURNE 1881: 2 PREMIERES MEDAILLES / Marque de Fabrique / J.T.L / LONDRES 1885 2 MEDAILLES D'OR / Lith. F.APPEL / 12 r. da Delte PARIS / USINES A / MIRECOURT, GRENELLE & LA COUTURE / 68,68 bis & 70, Rue Reaumur / PARIS / LONDRES / 10, Charterhouse St. (Holburn Circus)'

2005/63/1

1890 - 1911

205 mm

280 mm