Reed Organ (Physharmonika)

Alexander-François Debain|Claire Vanderplank Samstag

early 19th century · Wood, metal · Musical Instruments

The physharmonica is a small version of the melodican and harmonium. Designed in Vienna in 1821 by Anton Haeckle, the physharmonica stood in many parlors by the end of the nineteenth century. Alexander-François Debain was a French builder of reed keyboard instruments including harmoniums, accordions, and smaller reed organs like this Physharmonica. Technical description: Small rectangular mahogany chest with short ivory and ebony f-f3 keyboard on top, single-fold wedge bellows on back, single-fold wedge reservoir on front, 5 stops over keyboard marked on brass plaques (L or R): crescendo; tremolo (missing); celeste; forte fixe; bellows pumped by wide trapezoidal fabric-covered pedal mounted between 2 front legs of iron tripod base with turned and fluted wood central column, base attached to chest by 2 bolts with floral heads

Artist

Alexander-François Debain|Claire Vanderplank Samstag

Date

early 19th century

Medium

Wood, metal

Culture

French

Department

Musical Instruments

Credit line

Gift of Claire Vanderplank Samstag, 1986