Concertina

1831–37

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 681

After the symphonium, Wheatstone invented the concertina, a more versatile bellows-blown instrument. This example predates the final patented form of 1844. The English concertina does not easily play chords; instead, pressure and suction produce the same note. With the chromatic range of a violin, English concertinas were intended for playing Classical music and became fashionable during the Victorian era.

Artwork Details

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Exhibition History

Title: Concertina
Maker: Charles Wheatstone (1802–1875)
Date: 1831–37
Geography: London, England, United Kingdom
Culture: British
Medium: Rosewood, nickel-silver, leather, paper, ivory, tortoiseshell; case of mahogany
Dimensions: 3 × 5 3/4 in. (7.6 × 14.6 cm)
Classification: Aerophone-Free Reed-concertina / accordion
Credit Line: Purchase, Robert Alonzo Lehman Bequest, 2003
Object Number: 2003.380a, b
Curatorial Department: Musical Instruments

More Artwork

By Charles Wheatstone

In the same gallery

From the same time and place

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Concertina, Charles Wheatstone British, Mahogany (?), leather, paper, metal (brass, nickel-silver), British — Concertina
Charles Wheatstone
1855–60

Concertina, Charles Wheatstone British, Palisander, leather, paper, ivory, British — Concertina
Charles Wheatstone
ca. 1862

Symphonium, Charles Wheatstone British, nickel silver, ivory, brass, mother-of-pearl, British — Symphonium
Charles Wheatstone
ca. 1835

Grand Pianoforte, Érard , made in London French, Satinwood veneer, oak, spruce, iron, steel, ebony, ivory, gilding, mother-of-pearl, holly, mahogany, burl walnut, tulipwood, silver wire, British — Grand Pianoforte
Érard
George Henry Blake
ca. 1840

Accordion, Alexandre Pere & Fils, Wood, metal, mastic, brass, tortoiseshell, gilt brass, mother-of-pearl, silver foil, French — Accordion
Alexandre Pere & Fils
1850–55

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