Unsigned, Germany, 19th century
Coiled clockwise
four keys
brass
diameter of mouthpiece 1.0 cm, of bell 11.1 cm, of coil 16 cm
Inv. 1980.2001.
The post horn was used by the Thurn and Taxis postal service from the C16 to signal the arrival or departure of the mail coach or courier. To distinguish the calls further, different rhythms were played. The modest original tone range, limited to a few notes of the harmonic series, was enlarged first by an open fingering hole and in the C19 by means of keys. This instrument is also of special importance in respect of the Bernoulli collection itself, since it was the very first instrument acquired by Dr. h.c. Wilhelm Bernoulli, in 1926 in Frankfurt, thereby laying the 'foundation stone' of his comprehensive brass instrument collection.
Basel Historical Museum
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Steinenberg 4
PO box
CH – 4001 Basel
Reception: +41 61 205 86 00
historisches.museum(at)bs.ch
