Horn

late 19th century

Not on view

Most Sub-Saharan horns and trumpets are blown from the side rather than from the tip where they may be pierced to allow the player to sound different notes by opening and closing the end hole. Depending on regional tradition, blowholes may have a distinctive shape and appear on the concave or convex curve of the tube. Despite diminished importance as military signal instruments, side-blown horns remain a symbol of power and retain an important position in royal regalia. They are played singly or more often, in a large ensemble.

Artwork Details

Object Information

Overview

Provenance

Title: Horn
Date: late 19th century
Geography: Transkei, South Africa
Culture: Xhosa
Medium: Horn
Dimensions: L. 91.4 cm (36 in.)
Classification: Aerophone-Lip Vibrated-horn
Credit Line: The Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments, 1889
Object Number: 89.4.467
Curatorial Department: Musical Instruments

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