My first memory of hearing the music of a music box was when a young friend lifted the lid of her new Ballerina jewelry box, and music played and a little twirling dancer figurine rotated. The figurine was cheap plastic and not at all pretty and the jewelry box was cardboard, but it was fascinating that each time you lifted the lid an unfamiliar tune began playing. It was probably playing Swan Lake, but as a kid, it was not one that I knew.
When my kids visited Paris a few weeks ago they visited this incredible shop.
Atelier d'Autrefois
the shop owner, Maurice (he speaks English), a stout gray haired man with a shy smile and said that everything in the shop including the wooden boxes, the dolls and their costumes, even the tiny satin bows on the dolls shoes, he made by hand. He also said he hand glazed and fired the porcelain dolls heads. I was astounded. He went on to say the craft of music box making was handed down to him from his father who had his shop in Montmartre and unfortunately he was the last person of his generation to carry on this rich tradition.
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Although I have seen and heard beautiful music boxes, I have never owned one. Do you have one? Have you ever given one as a gift?
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