Wind-Up Music Box with Storage Container for Jewelry or Trinkets Commemorating the VDNKh Exhibition in Moscow, circa 1960s-70s.
In black plastic with metal embellishments and painted metal panels; measures 130 mm (about 5") wide and 80 mm tall. The plastic lid shows vignette of the central entrance to the VDNKh (the Exhibition of Achievements of National Economy of the USSR). The lettering in red is "Moscow" and "VDNKh USSR".
The sides form the overall shape of heptagon prism; each of the seven sides is adorned with one of the main pavilions of the exhibition such as the Central Pavilion with its landmark Stalinist spire, Space Pavilion with its domed top (the perennial tourist favorit
In black plastic with metal embellishments and painted metal panels; measures 130 mm (about 5") wide and 80 mm tall. The plastic lid shows vignette of the central entrance to the VDNKh (the Exhibition of Achievements of National Economy of the USSR). The lettering in red is "Moscow" and "VDNKh USSR".
The sides form the overall shape of heptagon prism; each of the seven sides is adorned with one of the main pavilions of the exhibition such as the Central Pavilion with its landmark Stalinist spire, Space Pavilion with its domed top (the perennial tourist favorite), Agriculture Hall (white on the outside, but teeming with award-winning pigs, cows and other marvels of socialist agriculture on the inside) etc. The storage compartment is rather shallow since much of the box is occupied by the musical mechanism; nevertheless it will easily store some small jewelry, trinkets, or cosmetic lotion.
There is a winding key at the bottom which is a bit tight but fully functional; an idyllic melody will play when the lid is lifted. Curiously, the song is the ever popular "Podmoskovnye Vechera" ("Evenings in Moscow Suburbs") originally written in the late 50s, before the VDNKh had received its current name. The song is actually about a romantic encounter in the quaint, tranquil suburbs of Moscow, not at all about the bustling capital where the exhibition grounds are located. Apparently the designers of the box had decided that it was geographically close enough anyway. The bottom shows raised maker's logo.
Undoubtedly, the creators of this thing thought it was a great souvenir of the exhibition with an added soft feminine side (there comes the song), so it would make a perfect powder room accessory for the modern Soviet woman. Give it to your wife or sweetheart on Valentine's Day but be sure to have something else handy as a back-up gift before she throws you out (if you buy it from us we are not responsible for possible family break-up or domestic violence).
In excellent condition; shows only very light use. Be very
careful with the winding key: go lightly so as not to
break the spring.
$80.00 Add to cart