Disc [Polyphon]
Maker and role
Polyphon Musicwerke AG, Manufacturer
Production date
Circa 1900
See full details
Object detail
Accession number
2023.124.2
Maker
Description
Polyphon Disc.
Large circular metal Polyphon disc with "Queen of the Earth / SONG / CIRO PINSUTI / 1728 / MADE IN LEIPZIG / [logo of woman]" printed on the front in black. The surface of the disk is covered in small holes where the metal has been punctured and bent towards the back of the disc so that is forms small protruding ridges at the back.
Large circular metal Polyphon disc with "Queen of the Earth / SONG / CIRO PINSUTI / 1728 / MADE IN LEIPZIG / [logo of woman]" printed on the front in black. The surface of the disk is covered in small holes where the metal has been punctured and bent towards the back of the disc so that is forms small protruding ridges at the back.
Brief History
Polyphon-Musikwerke AG of Leipzig, Germany produced music boxes, mechanical pianos, phonographs, and other music making devices around the turn of the 20th century. The heyday of mechanical music boxes was relatively short-lived with the spread of other machines such as the phonograph and gramophone.
The Polyphon is a clockwork music box that plays metal disc records. The clockwork motor turns a studded drive wheel which interlocks with holes in the outer edge of the discs. As the disc rotates, projections formed in the underside turns a set of star wheels that in turn pluck a tuned metal comb. Lead resonators suspended beneath the comb provide better sound transmission and tuning.
As the outer edge of a disc travels faster than the centre, the higher pitched and faster melodic lines are positioned towards the edge, whereas the slower basslines are positioned near the centre.
This disc plays ‘Queen of the Earth' by Ciro Pinsuti.
The Polyphon is a clockwork music box that plays metal disc records. The clockwork motor turns a studded drive wheel which interlocks with holes in the outer edge of the discs. As the disc rotates, projections formed in the underside turns a set of star wheels that in turn pluck a tuned metal comb. Lead resonators suspended beneath the comb provide better sound transmission and tuning.
As the outer edge of a disc travels faster than the centre, the higher pitched and faster melodic lines are positioned towards the edge, whereas the slower basslines are positioned near the centre.
This disc plays ‘Queen of the Earth' by Ciro Pinsuti.
Marks
Queen of the Earth / SONG / CIRO PINSUTI / 1728 / MADE IN LEIPZIG / [logo of woman] Printed
Media/Materials
Credit Line
Polyphon Musicwerke AG. Circa 1900. Disc [Polyphon], 2023.124.2. The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).
On display?
On display
![Disc [Polyphon]; Polyphon Musicwerke AG; Circa 1900](https://collection.motat.nz/records/images/medium/57924/f076b99b13faf472ee52250844c60a81b13a448a.jpg)
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