Echo Elite Harmonica
Since their invention in about 1830, harmonicas have been popular folk and novelty instruments. They come in a range of types, including chromatic, bass, tremolo, chord, and octave harmonicas. This diatonic harmonica features separate sets of holes on each side; one pitched in C, the pitched in G. In addition to musicalfunctionality, visual novelty helped makers sell instruments and distinguish their products in a competitive marketplace. John Vassos, a pioneer in the field of industrial design along with Norman Bel Geddes, was enlisted by the Hohner company to design a range of harmonicas and accordions. The streamlined design, styling, color scheme and use of chrome on this Echo Elite model harmonica are in keeping with the Art Deco aesthetic popular in America during the 1930s and 40s.
Artwork Details
- Title: Echo Elite Harmonica
- Manufacturer: Hohner (German, Trossingen founded in 1857)
- Designer: John Vassos (American, Greece 1898–1985 Norwalk, Connecticut)
- Date: ca. 1940
- Geography: Germany
- Culture: American
- Medium: Metal, wood, brass
- Dimensions: 1 × 7 7/8 × 2 9/16 in. (2.5 × 20 × 6.5 cm)
- Classification: Aerophone-Free Reed-mouth organ
- Credit Line: Funds from various donors, 2018
- Object Number: 2018.956a–c
- Curatorial Department: Musical Instruments
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