The terramaxka is an old instrument which was very popular in the Maltese Islands in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. It formed an integral part of the Maltese Traditional Festas, Carnivals, and everyday life. This form of entertainment was much sought after since there were no radios back then.
The word terramaxka comes from the Maltese words "kitarra maġika", which means, magical guitar. Abroad this is known as a street organ, crank organ, barrel organ, fair organ and so forth. Street organs were imported in Malta from France and Switzerland during the late nineteenth century.
Reminds me of circus wagons I've seen where the music plays, the drums and cymbals crash and some of the figures move around. This is a lovely old treasure.
