Magical Music Boxes Exhibition

FROM THE MIAMI-DADE PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM’S PERMANENT ART COLLECTION NOVEMBER 2024 – MAY 2025 MEZZANINE GALLERY, INTERNATIONAL ARRIVALS CONCOURSE J, 4TH FLOOR

Music box compact powder, lipstick and hand mirror case, ca. 1940s. Gold plated. Attributed to Hermann Bauer, Made in Germany. P C 10 - M0 9 5 .

PHO T O S C OU R T E S Y OF T H E M I A M I - DA DE AV I AT ION DE PA R T M E N T.

The Anita Mull Music Boxes Collection, housed at the Main Library in downtown Miami, consists of 216 antique and vintage music boxes. The collection, which was developed by former librarian Anita Mull during her travels and later gifted to the Miami-Dade Public Library System, includes cylinder, disc, animated, and novelty music boxes crafted by different makers from several countries and date back as early as the 1850s.

The exhibition Around the World: Magical Music Boxes features a curated selection of these music boxes on temporary loan from the Library’s Permanent Art Collection. Carved wood, inlaid designs, needlepoint work, and miniature reproduction paintings decorate these charming music boxes, which can be appreciated for their art, mechanical components, and excellent craftsmanship. Visitors are invited to explore these exquisite mechanical wonders.

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LEFT: Gramophone table lighter music box, ca. 1950s. Brass. Made by Swank Japan. P C 10 - M 2 0 7.

Spanish guitar on pedestal, n.d. Plastic, nylon, red and gold streamers. Made in Granada, Spain. P C 10 - M 1 3 2 .

PHO T O C OU R T E S Y OF T H E M I A M I - DA DE AV I AT ION DE PA R T M E N T.

COVER: Automation singing bird box, ca. 1900s. Gilt brass. Attributed to Karl Griesbaum. Made in Germany. P C 10 - M 2 0 0 .

PHO T O C OU R T E S Y OF T H E M I A M I - DA DE PU BL IC L I BR A RY S Y S T E M .

Swiss chalet, n.d. Hand-painted wood. P C 10 - M010 .

PHO T O S C OU R T E S Y OF T H E M I A M I - DA DE AV I AT ION DE PA R T M E N T.

Reuge music box, ca. 1950s. Wood, mirror, velvet, and brass. Made in Switzerland. P C 10 - M 1 2 5 .

PHO T O C OU R T E S Y OF T H E M I A M I - DA DE AV I AT ION DE PA R T M E N T.

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