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English Bass Horn in B-flat

Frederick Pace British, born Ireland
ca. 1835
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 680
The bass horn evolved from the serpent around 1800, and was a popular band and orchestral instrument until the 1830s when it was displaced by the ophicleide ("keyed serpent"). The application of valves to low brasses made these awkward keyed instruments obsolete, though some remained in use in Italy until the early 20th century. Today their function is served mainly by tubas.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: English Bass Horn in B-flat
  • Maker: Frederick Pace (British, Dublin, Ireland 1805–1835 London)
  • Date: ca. 1835
  • Geography: London, England, United Kingdom
  • Culture: British
  • Medium: Brass
  • Dimensions: 34 × 7 3/4 × 25 1/8 in. (86.4 × 19.7 × 63.8 cm)
    Diameter (Of bell): 7 13/16 in. (19.8 cm)
  • Classification: Aerophone-Lip Vibrated-horn
  • Credit Line: The Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments, 1889
  • Object Number: 89.4.2028
  • Curatorial Department: Musical Instruments

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