423.121.22

Post horn in D, brass, silver plated brass mouthpiece. Circular form. Two coils. Dent in bell expansion. Mouthpiece stamped: Besson & Co. Brévetés.

The use of horns to signal the arrival of important people and their messengers can be traced to Roman times. Post offices around Europe adopted this custom. Each region developed its own set of calls. Composers were fond of quoting these signals in their works. The post horn was retired from service at the beginning of the 20th century, when trains replaced mail coaches.

object
MUSEUM NUMBER
14.5.47/86
Date
1800 - 1900
PLACE
COLLECTION
MEASUREMENTS
overall: 222 mm x 175 mm; bell: 101 mm
MATERIAL/TECHNIQUE
silver plating; copper alloy; brass
CATEGORY
Musical Instruments
LOCATION
Music Gallery > Side D - Listening to Order > Case D1 - The Carse Collection
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Collection Information

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