Unusual Music Cabinet

[Lampman5]

Any ideas why this music cabinet would have a glass display area on the top? I believe it was originally for sheet music but thought the glassed in area might have been used for a small phonograph or music box but that is just a guess. Thanks

[JerryVan]

Why do you believe it's a music cabinet? Don't get me wrong. I don't know that it isn't, but I don't see anything that suggests to me that it is.

[poodling around]

Probably a ridiculous suggestion, but this reminds me of an automaton fortune telling cabinet ?

Maybe later added to, to alter it's purpose ?

https://auctions.morphyauctions.com/lot-280877.aspx

[Lampman5]

All the music cabinets that I have come across over the years have those flat pull out shelves like this one to hold the sheet music. Not sure if the "curio" glass top portion is just for nick knacks or when advertised new it had another purpose. Steve

[JerryVan]

All the music cabinets that I have come across over the years have those flat pull out shelves like this one to hold the sheet music. Not sure if the "curio" glass top portion is just for nick knacks or when advertised new it had another purpose. Steve

I guess it could have been something of a "combo" unit. Is there any evidence that there were shelves in the upper half? Kind of a large, empty space otherwise.

[KCW]

Any way you slice it, it’s awesome. Great find. I can think of tons of uses for it!

[drh]

A cabinet of similar design is here: https://www.woodennickelantiques.net/pr ... c-cabinet/

Another along the same lines, billed as a "music curio cabinet," is here: https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/ ... Ht1dz5ANaG

[Lampman5]

Thanks for the links. Mine has not been modified, no holes drilled etc. Much appreciated.

[ChesterCheetah18]

Back then, it was common practice to place busts of famous composers (Bach, Chopin, Brahms etc.) on one’s piano. Perhaps this was one intended purpose?

Steve