[ Ref. https://waddesdon.org.uk/the-collection/item/?id=39 
 [ "The upper part is in the form of an elephant supporting a howdah
 [ (seat with a canopy). The base is rectangular and contains the
 [ musical movement." -- Robbie

Lord Jacob Rothschild's Shah-Automaton

This is quite out of the way from reproducing pianos, my own abiding
fascination, but the following really caught my interest so because
unique and grand variously. Cutting directly to the chase before the
explicative rest, the big excitement begins at time 03:30, and lasts
only for just under a minute here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZf5fbgoaWQ&list=WL&index=18
 

This series was worked up by the BBC not too long ago, and is a one of
a six-part focus placed on art dealer Gordon Watson, a most interesting
character. Now I've seen only this one episode so I've no idea as to
what the rest might be like but, as judging by it, for myself, I expect
the rest would prove worthy of any time given for their viewing.

In this episode Mr. Watson endeavors to and succeeds at (or at least
does minimally) to sell to the Baron Rothschild something-or-other for
adding to his vast collection of everything, located within Waddesdon
Manor in England somewhere.

As part of the effort we are treated to two possibilities: the first
being the dandelion chandelier at sixty-thousand dollars and, as moving
downward a bit cost-wise, two spun spinning chairs for his ramp house
as I would describe it, situated within the manor grounds.

Along the way to accomplishing these goals of Mr. Watson's, we are
treated to views of many awesome masterpieces assembled by the Lord
Rothschild, one of course being his "Pride-of-place" treasure: the
Shah of Persia's automaton!!

Now I really am not sure that a report of the existence of this device
belongs on these august pages of the MMD, as I heard no music come out
from the auto-creature but, I expect that in it somewhere, there is to
be found a music box movement that can be activated for this purpose.
So, it is as based upon this narrow surmise, that I now dare place it
here.

The entire of the presentation is worth watching, I believe. First
to see this diamond-studded "mutha" of an automaton and secondly, the
opportunity to observe The Baron himself in action!

I do not recall any Rothschild names being listed among the czars,
kings and mere monied lessers of industry and banking who had bought
Welte-Mignons and Welte Philharmonics but that does not necessarily
mean that they had not done so nor been, for their habit from the onset
has uniformly that of remaining sub-terra in all things, and this
particularly with regard to their main business.

My guess is that they had possessed them and, further, that it is
possible that they exist still in some belly part of the gigantic manor
house that is Waddesdon. This being alluring mystery itself of course,
so it must be investigated! Also expectable, naturally, is that they
would possess or have possessed music boxes of likely unique sorts and
intense grandeur.

The comments below the video view are almost uniformly disparaging
of the Baron, which I find sad, their not knowing him obviously but
apparently believing they do in some way. He impresses myself as being
a refined gentleman who displays knowledge of his exquisite treasures,
plus showing much courtesy and gratitude to his guest.

Interestingly, Ampico and Duo-Art's Arthur Rubinstein wrote, I think
within both of his autobiographical volumes, that he and other of
artists were uniformly delighted to play before the Rothschilds, as
they were so well treated and lavishly remunerated by their hirers.
This I can believe.

Jim Miller
Las Vegas, Nevada