French Musette Bagpipe

French Musette Bagpipe

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Description
This bagpipe was made by an unknown maker in France, around 1775-1799. It is a musette bagpipe, bellows blown, with a sewn leather bag with 2 covers of faded and discolored material. It has rosewood pipes and stocks with ivory ferrules. The main chanter is cylindrical with a double reed, thumhole, 7 fingerholes (the lowest double), and 6 brass keys. The auxiliary chanter is flat and pear-shaped with a blind bore, double reed, and 8 brass keys. The auxiliary chanter stock is closed at the top and joined to the main chanter stock. 4 drones are housed in a short thick shuttle drilled with 13 narrow interconnecting passages. 5 ivory sliders (2 for the bass drone) on the sides of the shuttle permit selection of drones and tuning.
Location
Currently not on view
Object Name
bagpipe
date made
1775 - 1799
place made
France
Physical Description
satin (ribbons material)
cotton (strap material)
metal (keys material)
rosewood (overall material)
ivory (overall material)
silk velvet (overall material)
leather (overall material)
Measurements
bass drone and stock: 24.2 cm; 9 17/32 in
main chanter: 25.6 cm; 10 3/32 in
auxiliary chanter: 21.4 cm; 8 7/16 in
bellows: 21 cm x 5 cm; 8 9/32 in x 1 31/32 in
bag: 50.8 cm; 20 in
ID Number
MI.65.0649
accession number
1991.0406
catalog number
65.0649
Credit Line
Gift of The University Museum, University of Pennsylvania
See more items in
Culture and the Arts: Musical Instruments
Music & Musical Instruments
Data Source
National Museum of American History
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