The slack rope dancer: An 18th-century music box 

Bro he died 200+ years ago

Agreed. They're lovely especially as jewelry boxes

I'd argue our current accessibility in both silicone/resin molds and 3D printing and internet databases would be perfect to see a resurgence in clockwork like this in the modern day but sadly there's just not enough interest in the hobby. Most interest is geared towards collecting what already exists rather than creating anew. Unfortunate as I feel like the class divide between people who can afford vintage music boxes and people who can't but might have been active in a space for building new pieces is shaping up to be a generational divide also that continues to make automatons and their ilk less and less culturally relevant as the old blood dies off. There's been a bit of a resurgence in hydrolics-based audio animatronics due to nostalgia and video games bringing them back into pop culture but once again there's a class divide there with how unaffordable they are. But music boxes ideally are easier to build from scratch provided you know what you're working with so the potential is there. I myself am constantly on the lookout at thrift stores but the oldest movement in my collection is no older than the 50s because everything older either gets sold or appraised instead of donated. And like I said there's just nobody building new parts out there. I love RU-vid though because of videos like this. There's a couple channels who post music and bird boxes and I'd otherwise never have been able to see them. I wish more of them showed the actual restoration/maintenance process though.

This is from the 18th century. It's not from the 1800s

@liberty Ann Yes, it doesn't make sense that this piece would have been expensive in 1785, given how little work has gone into it - right? Lol. What a "filthy" pity that craftsmen created such things. By contrast, I'll bet the world you would create would be beautiful - Pol Pot was a visionary!

@@jontwest .......... is English your native tongue? I'm sincerely asking, because most people are aware that "filthy rich" just means very VERY rich. The original comment wasn't meant to be negative, it was just stating a fact -- that such intricate objects cost a lot of money.

@@jontwest what on earth are you crying about?

​@@ALuiza-pm2dp You're better off ignoring the trolls, A. Luiza.

I'd want one with a tiny jumping chihuahua

Simple. Start by looking for an auction catalog where one (if ever) has been sold, enquire with the auctioneer re: who had it. Even if it was a private sale the item would have been appraised. talk to the appraiser. PS not meaning to assume your circumstances, but you might need a healthy pocketbook every step of the way.

I think it’s Haydn

the person who made this his great great grandsons are probably all dead now too

Have you not seen automatons from 18th century France?

Lavenderflowers Fall fingerprints, oil from hands causing smudges, dead skin cells... I would hate to see what any old stuff you have looks like😂

@@MyloXyloto94 lmao 😂

Anything old and delicate people always wear gloves so as to not damage the surface of the relic. I am honestly stunned by the fact a person wearing gloves takes you out of listing to a music box. Such an ignorant person you are.

There's a couple of bronze statues from the Roman or Greek era (I forget which). Only a few known examples in the world. One is unrepairable due to tarnish caused by... wait for it.. skin oil from handling.

The oil produced by skin can damage the metal.