{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O157456"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O157456/"}},"images":null,"see_also":null},"record":{"systemNumber":"O157456","accessionNumber":"305-1882","objectType":"Basset horn","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"The basset horn is a low-pitched reed instrument with a clarinet-like mouthpiece and trumpet-like bell, mostly used in Germany and Austria. Mozart composed parts for it, as did Mendelsohn, and Richard Strauss in more recent times.This instrument is stamped with a unicorn's head, the emblem of wind instruments sold at 79 Cornhill London, the premises of G. Miller, George Astor, and later George Gerocke.","physicalDescription":"\"Stamped with a unicorn's head on every joint. Angular form. Boxwood, in four joints, ivory mounted. The joints comprise: a carved barrel, on which is inserted an ebony mouthpiece; the upper joint; a short obtuse-angled knee-joint, the lower part of which is of triangular section and contains three parallel bores connected in series to make a continuous air passage. A brass cover-plate is screwed to both the upper and lower faces of this triangular 'box', the lower plate being cut with a circular hole coinciding with the outlet of the air passage, into which is inserted a brass shell of a flattened oval section and with a chased rim-band. On the box, a swivel ring for supporting the instrument on a sling. Eight square brass keys are mounted on raised rings in the wood. They include in addition to the basic five [keys], a fish-tailed low F key with the key-plate mounted on a brass saddle; and thumb keyes for low D and C.\" - Anthony Baines,<i>Catalogue of Musical Instruments in the Victoria and Albert Museum - Part II: Non-keyboard instruments</i> (London, 1998), p. 101.","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Unknown","id":"A1848"},"association":{"text":"Made","id":"x28690"},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"ebony","id":"AAT12055"},{"text":"boxwood","id":"AAT12002"},{"text":"wood","id":"AAT11914"}],"techniques":[{"text":"turning","id":"AAT53158"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Turned ebony mouthpiece, turned boxwood joints with ivory mounts, brass keys and bell","categories":[{"text":"Musical instruments","id":"THES48919"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"FWK","id":"THES48597"},"images":[],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"005","id":"THES299370"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Basset horn","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"London","id":"x28980"},"association":{"text":"Made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"1800 - 1825","earliest":"1800-01-01","latest":"1825-12-31"},"association":{"text":"Made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Length","value":"98","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"tube including mouthpiece","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"Measurements taken from Anthony Baines:<i>Catalogue of Musical Instruments in the Victoria and Albert Museum - Part II: Non-keyboard instruments. </i> (London, 1998), p. 101.","marksAndInscriptions":[{"content":"Unicorn's head","inscriber":{"name":{"text":"","id":""},"association":{"text":"","id":""}},"date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"description":"","interpretation":"","language":"","medium":"","method":"","position":"","script":"","translation":"","transliteration":"","type":"","note":"stamped on all joints of the instrument"}],"objectHistory":"This instrument formed part of the collections of Carl Engel, and was valued at £1 - 10 - 0, when acquired by the South Kensington Museum in 1882.","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Basset Horn, box wood with ivory joints, brass covered bell, English, 1800 - 1825.","bibliographicReferences":[{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":"Anthony Baines:<i> Catalogue of Musical Instruments in the Victoria and Albert Museum - Part II: Non-keyboard instruments.</i> (London, 1998), p. 101."}],"production":"The instrument is stamped with the sign of the unicorn, the sign used on all instruments emanating from 79 Cornhill London. Possibly George Astor or Gerock and Wolf?","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[{"text":"unicorns","id":"x30658"}],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[],"partNumbers":["305-1882"],"accessionNumberNum":"305","accessionNumberPrefix":"","accessionYear":1882,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2025-04-18","recordCreationDate":"2008-06-25","availableToBook":true}}