412.132

Symphonium. No serial number. Engraved on front plate: 'By His Majesty's Letters Patent, C Wheatstone, Inventor, 20 Conduit Street, Regent Street, London.' Body of solid nickel, with a thick front plate with Grecian feet and pearl mounted embouchure. Note names stamped on the metal sides. 44 spherical ivory-tipped levers, with note names adjacent on the ends. Mouth blown via the pearl mounted embouchure. Silver tongued reeds, mounted in elaborate solid nickel reed banks. The instrument slides apart into 2 halves, revealing honeycomb-like reed blocks and complex levers and sprung pallets, with pearl embouchure and fancy outline.

object
MUSEUM NUMBER
M17a-1996
Date
1829-1830
PLACE
COLLECTION
MEASUREMENTS
overall: 83 x 91 x 61 mm
MATERIAL/TECHNIQUE
iron/steel; ivory; leather; mother of pearl
CATEGORY
Musical Instruments
LOCATION
Music Gallery > Side C - The Ideal Sound > Case C1 - Seeking Sounds
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Collection Information

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