Although there have been many music boxes made to hold money, there are also music boxes that are worth good money in and of themselves. One of the brands most sought after by collectors are Enesco music boxes. They are only a small part of the Enesco Company’s product line up. They also make a wide variety of figurines, lawn ornaments and business toys (like business card holders). It’s very hard to find a music box made in America, and Enesco music boxes are no exception. Although company headquarters are in Illinois, many of their products are made in China.

Distributor And Maker

Enesco music boxes aren’t just made by the Enesco brand. They also distribute a wide variety of brand names in charming gifts, which sometimes have music boxes in the line up. So, if you come across items listed as “Enesco music boxes”, you need to be sure if Enesco was the maker or the distributor.

But, as The Bard said, a rose by any other name smells just as sweet. No matter what brand or manufacture is the official maker of your Enesco music boxes, they are delightful to look at and lovely to listen to. Many Enesco music boxes are very intricate sculptures with a little music box mechanism inside of it. Some of the details are quite astonishing.

Affordable Art

Another great thing about Enesco music boxes are that they don’t cost an arm and a leg in order to purchase. This is in marked contrast to the most prestigious European brands of music boxes like Sorrento from Italy and Reuge from Switzerland. They are not cheap gifts, however. Although they are less expensive than most brands, the discontinued models still can often run three figures. They can be made of a variety of materials like wood, porcelain, plastic or resin. The musical parts are always of metal.

Enesco music boxes are like other collectables in that ones that are discontinued (not made any more) are far more valuable than ones that are still being made. There are Enesco music boxes to be had for under $50 (US). Those music boxes that still have the foil identification stickers on the bottoms are considered more valuable, too. And it is ideal that the tune still plays, however, a lot of the collectors seem to enjoy the visual aspects of Enesco music boxes more than the actual tune.

Music boxes are a universal item that can be found in most parts of the civilized world. The history of music boxes is interesting and diverse and provides a wealth of information about the types, styles, time frames, inner workings, movements and the pioneers and people involved in the creation of these lovely musical pieces. The history of music boxes notes that production of music boxes on a large scale was first achieved with the opening of a Swiss based factory in the early part of the 18th century with other European factories opening in Germany and Bohemia.

Making of Music Boxes

According to information found in the history of music boxes, musical snuff boxes were a starting or focal point for creating music boxes. Musical snuff boxes were small in size so they could be easily carried and crafted by watch makers while music boxes can range from very small to very large in size. Early music boxes contained metal disks and steel combs to create musical notes while more complex music boxes contained a tiny drum and small bells along with a metal comb to create the sounds. Some music boxes allowed for interchangeable cylinders so different musical tunes could be played but ultimately by the end of the 19th century, interchangeable metal disks became the favored items.

Types of Music Boxes

The history of music boxes covers a large geographic area that includes Ireland where irish music boxes that play Celtic music can be found. In other areas of the world, well-known names and companies provide unique music boxes. For example, in Germany, music boxes fashioned after the style of Faberge eggs are available and in the United States, exquisite figurines crafted by Lenox can be purchased. Vintage music boxes that are the voice of the history of music boxes can be found at auctions, estate sales or private offerings.

Uses of Music Boxes

There are many uses for music boxes and for whatever the reason, the history of music boxes and their uses can be shared by everyone. One of the most popular reasons for having a music box, besides listening to the music, is that it is also a storage place for jewelry and family heirlooms. For young girls and teens, a music box can be a place to put important items or mementos. For babies, the sounds of a music box can lull a child to sleep or be a source of wonder and entertainment. Men, too, can enjoy the use of a quality music box to hold favored items or to enjoy fine music while observing its inner workings and machinations.

Crystal music boxes can be of any style from a small cut-glass heart shaped music box that has only one cylinder and can play just one tune to the very elaborate music boxes that can have a 72-note movement and can play 3 different tunes to even larger and more involved music boxes. Whatever design of music box you might be looking for, crystal music boxes are unique in their designs, inner workings, decorations and overall style. Music boxes have been a part of the world’s culture for quite a while and information addressing the history of music boxes notes that the first music box factory opened in 1815 in Switzerland. Others music box factories followed and by the end of the 19th century could be found in other areas of Europe as well as the United States.

Benefits of Crystal Music Boxes

The cost of crystal music boxes can range from relatively inexpensive to very expensive depending on several factors. The number of musical selections that can be played on the music box and also the length of time the selections can play on the crystal music boxes are two important factors to consider. The extent of the notes played can include 18-note 30-note, 50-note, 72-note and all the way up to 144-note movements affording an opportunity to select crystal music boxes to suit individual decors and budgets. Another factor to consider is the choice of imported boxes. While there are beautifully designed domestic crystal music boxes available, as an alternative, there are the hand-crafted imported varieties that can include hand-carved wooden boxes with inlays and crystal lids.

Types of Crystal Music Boxes

When choosing the style of crystal music boxes, the type of décor you have in your home or office or the décor of someone’s home who is receiving a music box as a gift should be considered. For a light touch, there are exquisitely designed crystal music boxes with clear crystal panels that allow the viewing of the internal workings of the movements of the music box. These types of music boxes may have decorative leg bases such as gold or silver dolphins, fish or dragons. Additionally, the crystal music boxes may be made of beveled glass, ribbed glass or etched glass with specific motifs such as floral designs. A darker style for crystal music boxes include hand-carved boxes using materials such as walnut, ash and burl elm combined with and clear or beveled glass lids and inlays.

Not only do music boxes come in many different styles and are made out of a variety of materials, they also come in varying sizes that range from large compartmented music boxes to miniature and small music boxes. Pocket watches and pendants are examples of small music boxes. For the most part when thinking about pocket watches or pendants that are worn on a chain, the assumption would be that these are jewelry items but in the world of music boxes, these pieces have also been crafted into small music boxes utilizing Swiss and Japanese movements.

Examples of Small Music Boxes

One of the smallest actual music boxes in the world is a miniature music box in silver measuring 3.2 x 2.8 x 1.8 cm. This tiny music box has a 17-note movement, contains one cylinder and plays one tune. It is a true music box and has no space for storage. Other types of cases used for containing small music boxes include those made of different types of wood such as oak and depending on the music boxes dimensions, may or may not have space for jewelry. Along with the wooden music boxes, some styles of crystal music boxes fall into the small music boxes category.

Pocket Watches

There are several factors involved when selecting a pocket watch which includes whether it’s to be made of gold or silver casing, the overall look of the outside of the watch as well as the face of the watch and determining how well will the watch keep time. With the availability of pocket watches that are also small music boxes, the choices to be made increase. Not only must a musical selection be chosen, but also the actual decorative features of the pocket watch must be considered. Many of the pocket watches that are small music boxes depict specific scenes on the dial of the watch. The dial background can also be in color such as blue enamel, for example.

Pendants

Pendants or lockets are also available that have been crafted with small music boxes inside the casing. When the pendant is opened, the music plays. Many of these pendants are crafted in sterling silver and worn with an appropriate chain. Hand-crafted pendants with small music boxes are also available in a cameo motif. In many cases when selecting a musical pendant there is a list of musical selections available so an appropriate tune can be chosen. Vintage musical pendants may be attached to a brooch versus a chain.

One of the most popular music box styles and one that has been in existence for many years, are the simple and elegant ballerina music boxes. Loved and cherished by young girls and women from all parts of the world, giving one of these lovely music boxes depicting a tiny ballerina pirouetting to the music as a gift, can instantly conjure up special memories of times past.

Ballerina Music Boxes for Girls

Ballerina Music Boxes come in a variety of styles. While the one of a twirling ballerina dancing to music atop a jewelry box is the one that first comes to mind, there are a bevy of styles for these beautiful pieces. Examples of the styles of ballerina music boxes include square, rectangle or heart shaped music boxes made of plastic or vinyl with a hinged lid. There are even carrying case styled ballerina music boxes. For any of these pieces, the music box itself will usually have multiple compartments for jewelry items along with a mirror on the underside of the lid or a pedestal. When opened, the ballerina will be standing in the center of the music box and in front of the mirror. When the music box is wound, the ballerina will then twirl in front of the mirror until the lid is placed down or carrying case doors are closed.

Ballerina Music Boxes for Women

Selections of ballerina music boxes for women come in a variety of styles and include hand-crafted wooden boxes using Rosewood, mahogany or other wood types and small music boxes with inlays depicting ballerinas. Both of these types can be used to hold trinkets or favorite pieces of jewelry. For a touch of elegance when selecting ballerina music boxes, Faberge style eggs that are hand made and mounted on a pedestal and open to display a ballerina inside dancing to a tune is a good gift choice.

Other Types of Ballerina Music Boxes

A simple style for the ballerina music boxes is the use of globes. Mounted inside the globe, the ballerina is in a free style ballet position. Other globe styles include those that rotate and have a blowing function that allows glitter pieces inside the globe to move around the poised ballerina. A music box styled as a pocketbook is also popular with the young crowd. Decorated with ballerinas in colorful tutus, when opened, the ballerina is dancing in front of a mirror. When closed, the music box looks like an actual purse with a strap attached.