American Rare Quarter-Sawn Oak Violano Virtuoso by Mills Novelty Co.

Designated by the U.S. Government as one of the “Eight Greatest Inventions of the Decade” (1910–1920), the remarkable Violano Virtuoso stands at the crossroads of artistry and engineering—an inspired union of music and mechanics that defined a new era of automated entertainment.

Manufactured by the famed Mills Novelty Company, best known for its slot machines, vending machines, and jukeboxes, the Violano was conceived not merely as an instrument, but as a trade inducer. Between 1905 and 1930, Mills marketed these extraordinary machines to establishments such as hotel lobbies, theaters, and saloons, offering them for lease or purchase as a proven way to increase foot traffic and revenue. Within, a genuine violin is paired with a keyboard-less piano. The two instruments perform simultaneously and automatically, powered by an electric motor and a complex system of electromagnets. Originally designed for coin operation, the Violano reads perforated paper rolls, much like a player piano, rendering each piece with remarkable precision and expression.

This example is housed in a quarter-sawn oak case, a notably rare and desirable variation, as the vast majority were produced in mahogany. The dramatic ray fleck and warm depth of the oak lend the cabinet a striking architectural presence, distinguishing it immediately from its more commonly encountered counterparts.

This particular instrument has also been thoughtfully adapted with a discreet MIDI interface that works in concert with the original mechanisms. The result is a seamless bridge between 1920 engineering and modern technology, enabling thousands of additional selections to be played via Wi-Fi control from a tablet while preserving the integrity and visual drama of the original system.

As captivating today as it was a century ago, the Violano Virtuoso remains one of the most ambitious achievements of the coin-operated era, a piece of history that continues to stop people in their tracks today as it did over 100 years ago.

64.25″ High x 43″ Wide x 31″ Deep

Circa 1920