Harmoniflûte
The harmonilûte was created as an instrument that was between the small French accordion and the large harmonium free reed organ. The small keyboard instrument was typically set on a stand, and would often have a mechanism so that the player could pump with their feet. This example was probably pumped by hand. There is confusion about the invention of the instrument as both the Constant Busson and Mayer Marix workshops in Paris both claimed to have invented the instruments Busson presented it and won an award for his design at the Universal Exposition in Paris in 1855.
Technical description: An ebonized rectangular wood box (windchest), at the back of which (away from the player) a four-fold bellows with reservoir concealed below it in box; holes for air intake on backboard of bellows, protected by raised frame; at front of box a keyboard of small keys (bone naturals, ebony accidentals) controlling two rows of free reeds concealed within the box (naturals in one row, accidentals in the other); two brass free reeds side-by-side in one reed holder for each note; above the reeds, a row of brass tongues with pads at end, mounted on pivoted batten operated by hand stop, intended to damp one set of reeds; another hand stop for exhausting air from windchest; compass c-f3 (not tested); not furnished with stand or treadle, so evidently pumped by hand. (Laurence Libin 1978)
Technical description: An ebonized rectangular wood box (windchest), at the back of which (away from the player) a four-fold bellows with reservoir concealed below it in box; holes for air intake on backboard of bellows, protected by raised frame; at front of box a keyboard of small keys (bone naturals, ebony accidentals) controlling two rows of free reeds concealed within the box (naturals in one row, accidentals in the other); two brass free reeds side-by-side in one reed holder for each note; above the reeds, a row of brass tongues with pads at end, mounted on pivoted batten operated by hand stop, intended to damp one set of reeds; another hand stop for exhausting air from windchest; compass c-f3 (not tested); not furnished with stand or treadle, so evidently pumped by hand. (Laurence Libin 1978)
Artwork Details
- Title: Harmoniflûte
- Maker: Bouton (?)
- Maker: Marix (?)
- Date: second half 19th century
- Geography: France
- Culture: French
- Medium: Wood, metal, various materials
- Dimensions: W. of windchest 54.4 cm, H. of windchest 19.4 cm, D. of windchest 21.1 cm
- Classification: Aerophone-Free Reed-harmonium
- Credit Line: The Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments, 1889
- Object Number: 89.4.1200
- Curatorial Department: Musical Instruments
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Bouton
1880s–1890s
Unknown
ca. 1700
French
15th or 16th century
Alexandre Pere & Fils
1850–55
German or French
19th century
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.