Tickets
English
DonateMembershipTickets

Cornet

ca. 1897
Not on view
This instrument follows the form of the typical "short" or "shepherd's crook" cornet (referring to the shape of the instrument's back bow) popular in Britain. It features elaborate workmanship and floral engravings, silver plating and gold wash. This cornet survives with its original case and accessories, including tuning shanks for high and low pitch, tuning bits, two mouthpieces, mute, music card holder and cleaning rod.

The Distins first established themselves as instrument makers in London. Henry John Distin sold the falimily firm to Boosey & Co. in 1868 and immigrated to the US in 1877, first setting up shop as an instrument maker in New York and later opening the Henry Distin Manufacturing Co. in Williamsport, Pennsylvania in 1886. His innovative designs helped to shape cornet and drum making in America.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Cornet
  • Maker: Henry Distin Mfg. Co.
  • Date: ca. 1897
  • Geography: Williamsport, Pennsylvania, United States
  • Culture: American
  • Medium: Brass, silver-plated, gold wash
  • Dimensions: L. w/o shanks or mouthpiece 31.5 cm (12-1/2 in.)
  • Classification: Aerophone-Lip Vibrated
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Clara Mertens Gift, 1988
  • Object Number: 1988.248a–k
  • Curatorial Department: Musical Instruments

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Sopranino Clarinet in E-flat, Henry Distin Mfg. Co., Wood, ivory, string, brass, British
Sopranino Clarinet in E-flat
Henry Distin Mfg. Co.
Flintlock Longrifle, George Schreyer, Sr. American, Wood (maple), steel, iron, brass, silver, American, Pennsylvania, York County
Flintlock Longrifle
Gunsmith George Schreyer, Sr.
ca. 1795
Cornet, Karl Moritz Missenharter American, Brass, gold plate, American
Cornet
Karl Moritz Missenharter
ca. 1900
American Longrifle, Martin Shell Jr. American, Wood (maple), steel, iron, brass, silver, American, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania
On loan to The Met
American Longrifle
Gunsmith Martin Shell Jr.
ca. 1800
Cornet in B-flat, John Augustus Köhler British, Brass, silver-plated, British
Cornet in B-flat
John Augustus Köhler
ca. 1849

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please contact us using the form below. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.

Send feedback

Content Notice

The Metropolitan Museum of Art presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world, and our online collection reflects ongoing work conducted over the course of our more than 150-year history. You may encounter objects or images that may be inappropriate for some viewers or information that may be outdated.