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Over-the-Shoulder bass saxhorn in E-flat

ca. 1870
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 680
The over-the-shoulder horn, as used by Civil War bands, was the most distinctively American form of the saxhorn. Its backward-facing bell enabled it to be heard by troops marching behind the band.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Over-the-Shoulder bass saxhorn in E-flat
  • Maker: Ernst Seltmann (Saxony 1828–1883 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
  • Date: ca. 1870
  • Geography: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
  • Culture: American
  • Medium: Brass, nickel-silver
  • Dimensions: 58 1/8 × 9 3/4 × 11 in., 7.5 lb. (147.6 × 24.8 × 27.9 cm, 3401.978g)
  • Classification: Aerophone-Lip Vibrated-trumpet / trombone
  • Credit Line: The Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments, 1889
  • Object Number: 89.4.2301
  • Curatorial Department: Musical Instruments

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[Man with Over-the-Shoulder Saxhorn]
Unknown
1850s–80s
Bugle in G, W. I. Seefeldt American, Brass, American
Bugle in G
W. I. Seefeldt
late 19th century
Baritone shoulder horn in B-flat, Henry G. Lehnert German, Brass, nickel silver, American
Baritone shoulder horn in B-flat
Henry G. Lehnert
after 1875
Bass shoulder horn in E-flat
Henry G. Lehnert
ca. 1877
Upright Piano, Loud & Brothers American, Rosewood veneer, bird's eye maple veneer, iron, brass, ivory, ebony, fabric,, American
Upright Piano
Loud & Brothers
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