Seraphine
The seraphine is a type of small free-standing reed organ, not unlike the European physharmonika.
Technical description: Rectangular rosewood veneer case with hinged lid, standing on 2 pairs of folding legs, with 2 pedals on crossbar between legs, the left pedal operating a diagonally-closing swell shutter located beneath the pallet board, the right pumping the bellows; keyboard with ivory naturals, ebony accidentals, compass C-c3; brass free reeds beneath keyboard, each reed stamped with its pitch name; rectangular air reservoir behind keyboard assembly, and beneath this a wedge-shaped leather bellows; reeds blown rather than operated by suction.
Technical description: Rectangular rosewood veneer case with hinged lid, standing on 2 pairs of folding legs, with 2 pedals on crossbar between legs, the left pedal operating a diagonally-closing swell shutter located beneath the pallet board, the right pumping the bellows; keyboard with ivory naturals, ebony accidentals, compass C-c3; brass free reeds beneath keyboard, each reed stamped with its pitch name; rectangular air reservoir behind keyboard assembly, and beneath this a wedge-shaped leather bellows; reeds blown rather than operated by suction.
Artwork Details
- Title: Seraphine
- Date: ca. 1840
- Geography: New England, United States
- Culture: American
- Medium: Wood and various materials
- Dimensions: Length: 79.6 cm
Width: 40.0 cm
Depth: 13.6 cm
Three-octave span: 47.5 cm - Classification: Aerophone-Free Reed-harmonium
- Credit Line: The Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments, 1889
- Object Number: 89.4.1779
- Curatorial Department: Musical Instruments
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second quarter 19th century
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