ticketsMember | Make a donation

Cornet

ca. 1900
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 680
This lavishly embellished instrument evinces the cornet’s position as the most popular brass instrument of virtuoso soloists and band leaders of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its gold plated surface is a tour de force of decorative techniques including engraving, embossing and surface treatments such as mirror burnishing and frosting. The presence of all of the instrument’s original shanks, mouthpieces, matching engraved mute, cleaning rod, grease pot and distinctive leather case is exceptional. Missenharter began his instrument making career in Ulm, Germany before setting up shop in New York. This German heritage is evident in stylistic aspects of this cornet, particularly the jewel-eyed serpent twined round the crook receiver.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Cornet
  • Maker: Karl Moritz Missenharter
  • Date: ca. 1900
  • Geography: New York, United States
  • Culture: American
  • Medium: Brass, gold plate
  • Dimensions: 6 1/2 × 5 1/8 × 13 3/4 in. (16.5 × 13 × 35 cm)
    Mute: 7 7/8 × 2 × 2 in. (20 × 5.1 × 5.1 cm)
  • Classification: Aerophone-Lip Vibrated
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Schonberger Family Foundation Gift, 2013
  • Object Number: 2013.267a–j
  • Curatorial Department: Musical Instruments

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Mandolin, Angelo Mannello American, born Italy, Spruce, tortoiseshell, ivory, nickel-silver, metal,, American
Mandolin
Angelo Mannello
ca. 1900
Guitar, Christian Frederick Martin American, Wood, maple, spruce, abalone, ebony, metal, brass, ivory, American
Guitar
Christian Frederick Martin
George Wachsteter
ca. 1838
Square Piano, Robert Nunns British, Rosewood, mother-of-pearl, tortoiseshell, abalone, felt, metal, paint, gilding, American
Square Piano
Robert Nunns
John Clark
1853
Archtop Guitar, James D'Aquisto American, Maple, macassar ebony, iron, brass, American
Archtop Guitar
James D'Aquisto
1983
Over-the-Shoulder Soprano Horn in E-flat, John F. Stratton American, Nickel-silver, American
Over-the-Shoulder Soprano Horn in E-flat
John F. Stratton
ca. 1880

Related Content

Perspectives

Articles, audio, and video from The Met's online magazine.

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.