Horn

Unknown

late 19th century · Horn · Musical Instruments

Most Sub-Saharan horns and trumpets are blown from the side rather than from the tip where they may be pierced to allow the player to sound different notes by opening and closing the end hole. Depending on regional tradition, blowholes may have a distinctive shape and appear on the concave or convex curve of the tube. Despite diminished importance as military signal instruments, side-blown horns remain a symbol of power and retain an important position in royal regalia. They are played singly or more often, in a large ensemble.

Artist

Unknown

Date

late 19th century

Medium

Horn

Culture

Xhosa

Department

Musical Instruments

Credit line

The Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments, 1889