Music & Musical Instruments

The Museum's music collections contain more than 5,000 instruments of American and European heritage. These include a quartet of 18th-century Stradivari stringed instruments, Tito Puente's autographed timbales, and the Yellow Cloud guitar that belonged to Prince, to name only a few. Music collections also include jukeboxes and synthesizers, square-dancing outfits and sheet music, archival materials, oral histories, and recordings of performances at the museum. The vast Sam DeVincent Collection of Illustrated Sheet Music is a remarkable window into the American past in words, music, and visual imagery. The Duke Ellington and Ruth Ellington Boatwright collections contain handwritten music compositions, sound recordings, business records, and other materials documenting the career of this renowned musician. In various ways, our collections find expression in performances of the Smithsonian Chamber Players, the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, and in other public programs.

This flageolet was made by Watts in London, England, 19th century. It is made of boxwood with a brass key, and an ivory beak and studs. This instrument is stamped:WATTSLONDONCurrently not on view
Description (Brief)

This flageolet was made by Watts in London, England, 19th century. It is made of boxwood with a brass key, and an ivory beak and studs. This instrument is stamped:

WATTS
LONDON

Location
Currently not on view
Date made
19th century
maker
Watts
ID Number
MI.095044
accession number
25819
catalog number
95044
This sarrusophone was made by an unknown maker, probably Italy, in the mid-19th century. It is a 16-keyed instrument in bassoon form in the key of E-flat, made of brass.
Description

This sarrusophone was made by an unknown maker, probably Italy, in the mid-19th century. It is a 16-keyed instrument in bassoon form in the key of E-flat, made of brass. This instrument is very similar to a contrabass sarrusophone.

This instrument was acquired from the collection of Leopoldo Franciolini in 1892. Leopoldo Franciolini (1844–1920) was an Italian antique dealer who flourished in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He is remembered as a fraudster who sold faked and altered historical musical instruments.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
mid 19th century
ID Number
MI.095277
catalog number
95277
accession number
26256
This pochette was made by an unknown maker, provenance unknown, probably 19th century.
Description

This pochette was made by an unknown maker, provenance unknown, probably 19th century. It is a composite instrument with a one-piece table of spruce with orange-brown varnish, body made from a single piece of maple painted black, crude maple neck, pegbox and scroll, and orange-brown varnish.

This object is composed of unrelated fragments and does not appear to have ever functioned as a musical instrument in this form. The elongated narrow table with S-holes is joined to a solid back with four hollow facets. The violin neck is terminated in a crude pegbox and scroll. Acquired from the collection of Leopoldo Franciolini in 1892.

Leopoldo Franciolini (1844–1920) was an Italian antique dealer who flourished in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He is remembered as a fraudster who sold faked and altered historical musical instruments.

Location
Currently not on view
Date made
19th century
ID Number
MI.095292
accession number
26256
catalog number
95292
This trumpet marine was made by an unknown maker, provenance unknown, probably 19th century.
Description

This trumpet marine was made by an unknown maker, provenance unknown, probably 19th century. It is a composite instrument with a table of spruce with two C-holes, back of seven strips of slab-cut hardwood, grafted walnut neck terminated in a poplar cello pegbox and closed scroll with two volutes, and opaque brown varnish.

The object is composed of unrelated fragments and does not appear to have ever functioned as a musical instrument in this form. However, the grafted neck bears an interesting 18th century violoncello pegbox and scroll fragment. Acquired from the collection of Leopoldo Franciolini in 1892.

Leopoldo Franciolini (1844–1920) was an Italian antique dealer who flourished in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He is remembered as a fraudster who sold faked and altered historical musical instruments.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
19th century
ID Number
MI.095281
accession number
26256
catalog number
95281
This trumpet marine was made by an unknown maker, provenance unknown, probably 19th century.
Description

This trumpet marine was made by an unknown maker, provenance unknown, probably 19th century. This is a composite instrument made of a table of spruce, two-piece back of plain fruitwood cut on the slab, grafted hardwood neck is terminated in a hardwood pegbox and closed scroll with three volutes, and opaque brown varnish

The object is composed of unrelated fragments and does not appear to have ever functioned as a musical instrument in this form. The grafted neck bears a crude 18th century cello (or viol?) pegbox fragment and scroll. Acquired from the collection of Leopoldo Franciolini in 1892.

Leopoldo Franciolini (1844–1920) was an Italian antique dealer who flourished in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He is remembered as a fraudster who sold faked and altered historical musical instruments.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
19th century
ID Number
MI.095280
accession number
26256
catalog number
95280
This oboe was made by an unknown maker in Italy, in the 19th century. It is a piffaro oboe, similar to a type of shawm, made of maple, and with 4 fingerholes. The cap and bell sections are decoratively turned.
Description

This oboe was made by an unknown maker in Italy, in the 19th century. It is a piffaro oboe, similar to a type of shawm, made of maple, and with 4 fingerholes. The cap and bell sections are decoratively turned. It has a slightly conical bore.

This oboe was acquired from the collection of Leopoldo Franciolini in 1892. Leopoldo Franciolini (1844–1920) was an Italian antique dealer who flourished in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He is remembered as a fraudster who sold faked and altered historical musical instruments.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
19th century
ID Number
MI.095301
catalog number
95301
accession number
26256
This music box disc was made by Regina Music Box Co. in Rahway, New Jersey, around 1901-1902. It is Regina Disc #1993 - "Hiawatha (A Summer Idyl)," by Neil Moret.
Description

This music box disc was made by Regina Music Box Co. in Rahway, New Jersey, around 1901-1902. It is Regina Disc #1993 - "Hiawatha (A Summer Idyl)," by Neil Moret. This disc is playable in a Regina Disc Music Box that can accommodate a 15-1/2” diameter disc.

This disc features the following patents:

U. S. Patent #417649, dated December 17, 1889 by Oskar Paul Lochmann for a music plate for mechanical instruments.

U. S. Patent #500374, dated June 27, 1893 by Gustav A. Brachhausen and Paul Riessner for a note-plate for music boxes.

Location
Currently not on view
manufacturing date
1901-1902
manufacturer
Regina Music Box Company
ID Number
MI.378567.12
catalog number
378567.12
accession number
144168
This sheet music for the song “By Studying My Lady’s Eyes” was written by Thomas Bailey Aldrice and composed by Julius S. Lyons. The song was originally published by Wm. A. Pond and Co.
Description
This sheet music for the song “By Studying My Lady’s Eyes” was written by Thomas Bailey Aldrice and composed by Julius S. Lyons. The song was originally published by Wm. A. Pond and Co. of New York, New York in 1889, and appeared as a supplement to the “New York Herald” on May 31, 1903. The sheet music features a pencil drawing of a woman casting a sultry gaze at the viewer.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1902
lyricist
Aldrich, Thomas Bailey
composer
Lyons, Julius J.
publisher
William A. Pond & Co.
ID Number
1982.0440.42
accession number
1982.0440
catalog number
1982.0440.42
This music box disc was made by Regina Music Box Co. in Rahway, New Jersey, around 1901-1902. It is Regina Disc #1881 - "The Wedding of the Reuben and the Maid," music by Maurice Levi and lyrcis by Harry Bache Smith.
Description

This music box disc was made by Regina Music Box Co. in Rahway, New Jersey, around 1901-1902. It is Regina Disc #1881 - "The Wedding of the Reuben and the Maid," music by Maurice Levi and lyrcis by Harry Bache Smith. This disc is playable in a Regina Disc Music Box that can accommodate a 15-1/2” diameter disc.

This disc features the following patents:

U. S. Patent #417649, dated December 17, 1889 by Oskar Paul Lochmann for a music plate for mechanical instruments.

U. S. Patent #500374, dated June 27, 1893 by Gustav A. Brachhausen and Paul Riessner for a note-plate for music boxes.

Location
Currently not on view
manufacturing date
1901-1902
manufacturer
Regina Music Box Company
ID Number
MI.378567.09
catalog number
378567.09
accession number
144168
This rebec was made by an unknown maker, provenance unknown, probably 19th century. It is a composite instrument with a one-piece table of poplar, body, neck and pegbox carved from one piece of similar poplar.
Description

This rebec was made by an unknown maker, provenance unknown, probably 19th century. It is a composite instrument with a one-piece table of poplar, body, neck and pegbox carved from one piece of similar poplar. The wood is not varnished but finished with a colored penetrating oil.

This instrument appears to be a crude copy of a rebec in the style of catalog #095310. It does not appear to have ever functioned as a playing object. Acquired from the collection of Leopoldo Franciolini in 1892.

Leopoldo Franciolini (1844–1920) was an Italian antique dealer who flourished in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He is remembered as a fraudster who sold faked and altered historical musical instruments.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
19th century
ID Number
MI.095309
accession number
26256
catalog number
95309
This gusle was made by an unknown maker in the Sandak region, Yugoslavia probably 19th century.
Description (Brief)

This gusle was made by an unknown maker in the Sandak region, Yugoslavia probably 19th century. It is made of a table of hide stretched over the “spoon” body and fastened with 31 hardwood pins, body, neck and head carved from a single piece of hardwood, the instrument not varnished.

This single-string fiddle bears a spoon-shaped body, neck and stylized animal head, all carved from one piece of hardwood. The geometric pattern cut into the neck and the pyramid-shaped finials on the two ears of the head on this instrument are features common to gusles from the mountainous Sandzak region of the Montenegro republic in the southwestern region of the former Yugoslavia.

Location
Currently not on view
Date made
19th century
ID Number
MI.095243
catalog number
95243
accession number
26256
This buisine was made by an unknown maker in Morocco, in the 19th century. It is made of brass.Currently not on view
Description
This buisine was made by an unknown maker in Morocco, in the 19th century. It is made of brass.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
19th century
ID Number
MI.095780
accession number
23736
catalog number
95780
This zurna oboe was made by an unknown maker in Russia, 19th century. It is made of stained maple and has a cylindrical bore with considerable flare at the bell. There are 7 fingerholes and 1 thumbhole and vent. An early catalog description indicates from the Caucasus Mountains.
Description (Brief)
This zurna oboe was made by an unknown maker in Russia, 19th century. It is made of stained maple and has a cylindrical bore with considerable flare at the bell. There are 7 fingerholes and 1 thumbhole and vent. An early catalog description indicates from the Caucasus Mountains. Tiflis, Georgia, Russia.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
19th century
ID Number
MI.072977
catalog number
72977
accession number
13300
This kamanja was made by an unknown maker in the Caucasus, probably 19th century.
Description

This kamanja was made by an unknown maker in the Caucasus, probably 19th century. It has a one-piece table of pine with “slit” soundholes burned into the wood along with crude ornamental geometric designs in upper and lower bouts, the body, neck and “leaf” pegbox are fashioned from one piece of softwood; body painted a reddish-brown color; table is unvarnished.

The Kamanja has Islamic origins beginning in the 10th century and is popular in Turkey and the Black Sea region. This instrument has a long, slender box shape with three strings fastened at a leaf-shaped pegbox.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
19th century
ID Number
MI.072976
catalog number
72976
accession number
13300
This flute was made by an unknown maker in Russia, 19th century. It is a duct flute made of light-colored wood, with 6 fingerholes and 1 thumbhole.Currently not on view
Description
This flute was made by an unknown maker in Russia, 19th century. It is a duct flute made of light-colored wood, with 6 fingerholes and 1 thumbhole.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
19th century
ID Number
MI.094769
accession number
22588
catalog number
94769
This bow was made by an unknown maker in the Caucasus, probably 19th century. It is a hand-hewn flexible stick with black painted ends, wooden stylized frog attached to stick with gut string; black horsehair attached with metal rings. Accessioned with kamanja (Cat.
Description (Brief)
This bow was made by an unknown maker in the Caucasus, probably 19th century. It is a hand-hewn flexible stick with black painted ends, wooden stylized frog attached to stick with gut string; black horsehair attached with metal rings. Accessioned with kamanja (Cat. #072976).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
19th century
ID Number
MI.072982
catalog number
72982
accession number
13300
This bow was made by an unknown maker in the Caucasas, probably 19th century. It is a hand-hewn flexible stick with black painted ends, black horsehair attached with metal rings and cloth at holding end to adjust hair tension. Accessioned with kamanja (Cat.
Description (Brief)
This bow was made by an unknown maker in the Caucasas, probably 19th century. It is a hand-hewn flexible stick with black painted ends, black horsehair attached with metal rings and cloth at holding end to adjust hair tension. Accessioned with kamanja (Cat. #072976).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
19th century
ID Number
MI.072983
catalog number
72983
accession number
13300
This song book The Harry Von Tilzer Dance Folio Number 5, was published by the Harry Von Tilzer Music Publishing Company of New York, New York around 1900.
Description
This song book The Harry Von Tilzer Dance Folio Number 5, was published by the Harry Von Tilzer Music Publishing Company of New York, New York around 1900. The cover advertises the folio as “containing arrangements for the piano of the latest and most popular music of the day, arranged by Alfred J. Doyle.” The red and white cover features a small photo of Harry Von Tilzer at the bottom. Folios like this contained 40 piano compositions, usually without the lyrics, at a cheaper price than buying them individually.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
ca 1900
publisher
Harry Von Tilzer Music Publishing Co.
ID Number
1982.0005.15
accession number
1982.0005
catalog number
1982.0005.15
This flute was made by an unknown maker in Russia, 19th century. It is a duct flute made of red-stained boxwood, with 6 fingerholes and 1 thumbhole.Currently not on view
Description
This flute was made by an unknown maker in Russia, 19th century. It is a duct flute made of red-stained boxwood, with 6 fingerholes and 1 thumbhole.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
19th century
ID Number
MI.072981
accession number
13300
catalog number
72981
This pitch pipe was made by an undetermined maker in Germany, early 1900s. It has 10 single holes and 10 reeds. This pitch pipe has a red-brown stained wooden comb with a metal cover plate attached with screws. It is stamped:C.B. & S. INC. [Bruno logo] N.Y.
Description

This pitch pipe was made by an undetermined maker in Germany, early 1900s. It has 10 single holes and 10 reeds. This pitch pipe has a red-brown stained wooden comb with a metal cover plate attached with screws. It is stamped:

C.B. & S. INC. [Bruno logo] N.Y. Sole AGENTS
MADE IN GERMANY

This pitch pipe was made for C.B. & S., Inc. [C. Bruno & Son, Inc.], a musical instrument importer and dealer in New York City.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 1900s
maker
C. Bruno & Son
ID Number
1988.0783.412
accession number
1988.0783
catalog number
1988.0783.412
This gusle was made by an unknown maker in Bosnia, Yugoslavia, probably 19th century.
Description

This gusle was made by an unknown maker in Bosnia, Yugoslavia, probably 19th century. It has a table of hide (missing) stretched and fastened to the body with 19 pins (16 missing), body, neck and stylized horse with rider of one-piece hardwood, one hardwood tuning peg; instrument is not varnished.

This instrument has a spoon-shaped body with an elongated narrow neck terminating in a carving of a mounted horseman, with no further ornamentation. The horseman is possibly a stylized representation of Milos Obilic, a 14th-century Serbian folk-hero known for defending his country against the invading Turks.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
19th century
ID Number
MI.237686
catalog number
237686
accession number
45209
This practice violoncello was made by Dunn & Co. in England, 19th century. This instrument is made of a one-piece table of spruce, body carved from one piece of plain maple, plain maple neck, pegbox and scroll, and semi-transparent reddish-brown varnish.
Description

This practice violoncello was made by Dunn & Co. in England, 19th century. This instrument is made of a one-piece table of spruce, body carved from one piece of plain maple, plain maple neck, pegbox and scroll, and semi-transparent reddish-brown varnish. Accessioned with original custom case. The case is stamped:

DUNN & CO CALCUTTA

This is a nicely crafted practice instrument with a long boat-shaped body designed to have limited sound volume. The slender arched table bears painted purfling and delicately carved f-holes. The body and sides are fashioned of a single piece of maple. The fingerboard bears fifteen flush inlaid “frets” to indicate finger locations. The instrument is accompanied by a rosewood end-pin and a carefully fitted mahogany case with brass hardware

Location
Currently not on view
date made
19th century
maker
Dunn & Co.
ID Number
MI.60.1410
catalog number
60.1410
accession number
227687
This piano was made by Blüthner in Leipzig, Germany, in 1900. It is a grand piano, Model 6, Serial #55501. Accessioned with bench (not-original).Founded by Julius Blüthner in 1853 in Leipzig, Germany, Blüthner is one of the most respected German piano builders.
Description (Brief)

This piano was made by Blüthner in Leipzig, Germany, in 1900. It is a grand piano, Model 6, Serial #55501. Accessioned with bench (not-original).

Founded by Julius Blüthner in 1853 in Leipzig, Germany, Blüthner is one of the most respected German piano builders. Blüthner pianos rapidly acquired a sterling reputation, winning numerous prizes at international exhibits, including the Centennial International Exhibition of 1876 in Philadelphia.

>p>This Model 6 has a version of the ornate “Jubilee” cast-iron plates Blüthner produced from 1898 to 1907. It also has Blüthner’s Aliquot System. This patented system employs an additional fourth string for each of the keys in the instrument’s upper octaves. This string is not struck by the hammers, but vibrates through sympathetic resonance when the other three strings are struck, resulting in an enriched spectrum contributing to the distinctive “Blüthner sound.”

Otto Becker, whose name is inlaid in the piano’s lid flap, was a musical instrument dealer and music publisher in Santiago, Chile. The #55501 remained in Chile until 1986 when it was purchased by Fred Chaffee, a distinguished astronomer and amateur pianist whose career began in 1968 at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It was donated to the Smithsonian in 2014 by Fred and Diana Chaffee “in loving memory of Roger G. Kennedy,” who served as Director of the National Museum of American History from 1979 to 1992.

Location
Currently not on view
production date
1900
ID Number
2014.3079.01
nonaccession number
2014.3079
catalog number
2014.3079.01
serial number
55501
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1902
Associated Date
1902
maker
Averill Publishing Co.
Cramer, William T.
ID Number
2015.0035.0019
accession number
2015.0035
catalog number
2015.0035.0019

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