Image: "The Amaryllis" Mortier Dance Organ (1922) - Music House Museum

Description: The Amaryllis Mortier Dance Organ From the factories of Theofiel Mortier in Antwerp, Belgium came the most elegant automatic organs the world has ever known. From about 1908 to 1930, up to 80 skilled craftsmen were employed in building about 1000 magnificent instruments which were installed in dance halls, ball rooms, and grand cafes or were used in traveling shows in Northern and Central Europe. Today only a hundred or so have survived the whims of man. Most of these left were remodeled so their original sound and appearance are lost. There are a few slightly larger and more elaborate instruments of this type remaining but the Mortier organ built in 1922 for the Victoria Palace in Ypres, Belgium and now called "The Amaryllis" is outstanding for it's perfect authenticity and excellence of preservation. Prior to its restoration which consumed many months of meticulous work, it had been stored unplayable for decades. It's huge flywheel was originally turned by hand which may explain why many of it's books are rather short. The use of vintage electric motor is one modern concession. The Amaryllis is a 97 key organ which plays folding perforated cardboard music books. Hundreds of wooden and metal pipes as well as other instrumental devices are housed in rosewood chests behind the 30 foot wide by 18 foot high facade. The facade is hand carved hardwood graced with several oil paintings. Pastel colors, silver and gold leaf by August Souvenbrie. Much of the original library of music is still with the organ including many lively waltzes, polkas, foxtrots, and a few familiar popular tunes tom the 1920s
Title: "The Amaryllis" Mortier Dance Organ (1922) - Music House Museum
Credit: The Amaryllis
Author: H. Michael Miley from Schaumburg, USA
Usage Terms: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0
License: CC BY-SA 2.0
License Link: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0
Attribution Required?: Yes