Wooden Erzgebirge Music Boxes - A great gift for all occasions
Music boxes have been invented in the 18th century. In 1796 the Swiss clockmaker Antoine Favre-Salomon designed a pocket watch that was able to play a melody. Because of this music boxes are also called "music watches" or "music clocks" in other languages.
The first music boxes (non watch type) were turned by hand and did not have a very good sound. The number of tones was very limited compared to the modern works that can play almost every tune. The first music boxes were often toys for kids. Today music boxes are decorative mechanical instruments that can play melodies with several voices. Modern music boxes are sophisticated handcrafted masterpieces with high quality musical works.
Wooden Erzgebirge music boxes (in german: Spieldose, Spieluhren or Spieldosen) are all handmade. Often they show religious scenes like the Christmas story, carol singers, nativity scenes, angels or Santa Claus. But the Erzgebirge workshops also offer many other interesting motifs like seasons, anniversary, garden, and festivities. There are music boxes for all occasions.
The most famous manufacturers of Erzgebirge music boxes (spieldosen in German) are KWO Olbernhau, Mueller Kleinkunst, Richard Glaesser, Christian Ulbricht and Steinbach. All together they produce about 200-300 different designs. The price ranges from 100 USD to 700 USD depending on the size, detailedness and the musical work (e.g. number of tones). If you are looking for a very special gift then an Erzgebirge music box is an excellent choice for every occasion.
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