We don’t have an image of this object online yet. V&A Images may have a photograph that we can’t show online, but it may be possible to supply one to you. Email us at vaimages@vam.ac.uk for guidance about fees and timescales, quoting the accession number: S.387-2002
Find out about our images

Not currently on display at the V&A

Sound Machine

ca.1900

Free-standing wooden sound machine with stretched canvas sheet covering ridged slatted wooden sounding wheel, turned by an iron handle which cause the slats to create sound against the canvas covering.


Object details

Object type
Sound machine
Materials and techniques
Wood and canvas with rope and iron handle
Wood
Iron
Canvas
Rope
Brief description
Wooden and canvas wind machine used as a theatrical sound effect at the Cripplegate Institute theatre. Perhaps originally from the Britannia Theatre, Hoxton, which closed as a theatre in 1923.
Physical description
Free-standing wooden sound machine with stretched canvas sheet covering ridged slatted wooden sounding wheel, turned by an iron handle which cause the slats to create sound against the canvas covering.
Dimensions
  • Floor to top of canvas drum height: 100cm
  • Width of canvas cover width: 46.5cm
  • Front to back of wooden planks acting as feet depth: 60.5cm
  • Diameter of drum diameter: 37cm
Credit line
Given by the Reverend Canon Brian Cook
Object history
This wind machine, along with a gun rattle (S.386-2002) and a rain box (S.388-2002), was used by the drama department of the Arts Educational Schools when they moved from Piccadilly to the Old Cripplegate Institute. Cripplegate Institute had a well-equipped theatre which was working in the early 1900s, originally including backcloths and wing borders. Some of the grid ironmongery and other bits of equipment were marked 'Britannia' so the donor felt it possible that the stage machinery also originated from the Britannia Theatre in Hoxton, which operated from 1841 until 1923 when it became a cinema.
Collection
Theatre and Performance Collection
Accession number
S.387-2002

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdFebruary 11, 2003
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O74193/sound-machine/
Download as: JSON