Tambourine

Unknown

mid 19th century · Wood, parchment, metal · Musical Instruments

This instrument is crudely made and probably constructed by a musician for their own use. The inuse of a metal counterhoop to hold the skin in place and of hooks and wingnuts that allow the skin to be tensioned, is similar to those found on mid-nineteenth century banjos and drums. These details suggest the instrument may have been made to be used in performances of American minstrel music. Technical description: The shell is constructed from a single piece of wood bent around into a cylinder and held in place by several hand-forged nails. The skin is held in place by a metal counterhoop and five hand-forged hooks and five wingnuts allow for the tension to be adjusted on the head. Five slots have been cut into the shell where jingles are mounted on small rods. Each of the five slots has a pair of flat, hand-forged jingles, of unequal and asymetrically cut tin. (Jayson Kerr Dobney, 2004)

Artist

Unknown

Date

mid 19th century

Medium

Wood, parchment, metal

Culture

United States

Department

Musical Instruments

Credit line

The Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments, 1889