French Horn
1826-1827 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This French horn was made by Marcel-Auguste Raoux (1795–1871), who produced prize-winning horns and performed in the band of the French Imperial Guard and orchestra of the Théâtre Italien in Paris. The Raoux family were one of France’s leading makers of brass instruments and had enjoyed royal patronage from 1690 onwards. This instrument is made for a left-handed player and originally belonged to Giovanni Puzzi (1797–1876) an Italian-born virtuoso, whose career flourished in both Paris and London. He could boast of having been employed by both Napoleon and the Duke of Wellington, and this horn was said to have been presented to him by the King of France, most likely Charles X (reigned 1826–1830).
On loan to the Horniman Museum.
On loan to the Horniman Museum.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 6 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | Brass with silver mounts, painted green and gilt lacquer decoration inside the bell of the horn |
| Brief description | French horn, brass with silver mounts and green lacquer decoration inside the bell, France, 1826 or 1827, by Marcel-Auguste.Raoux (1795-1871). |
| Physical description | "Horn with medial crooks. Brass with silver mounts. The interior of the bell is painted with a design [frieze of oak-leaves] with green lacquer. Five crooks, for D, E flat, E, F and G, and a contemporary mouthpiece made from sheet silver. The horn is built for playing with the left hand in the bell" - Anthony Baines:Catalogue of Musical Instruments in the Victoria and Albert Museum - Part II: Non-keyboard instruments. (London, 1998), p. 107 |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | Raoux, bréveté seul Fournisseur du Roi, rue Serpente à Paris Note Inscribed on the bell of the rim. Translation Rauox, by appointment, sole supplier to the King, rue Serpente, Paris |
| Credit line | Given by Lieutenant-General Vittorio Elia |
| Object history | This instrument was owned by Giovanni Puzzi (1797 - 1876) and presented to the Victoria & Albert Museum by his grandson, General Vittorio Elia. |
| Production | "Formerly the property of ... Giovanni Puzzi (1792-1876) and said to have been presented to him by Louis XVIII [reigned 1814-1826], though in the opinion of Mr R. Morely-Pegge, the leading modern historian of the horn, the donor is more likely to have been Charles X [reigned 1826-1830]. See R.Morley-Pegge, The French Horn (London, 1960)". - Anthony Baines:Catalogue of Musical Instruments in the Victoria and Albert Museum - Part II: Non-keyboard instruments. (London, 1998), p. 107. Dr Bradley Strauchen (Horniman Museum) dates it '1826 or 1827'. |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | This French horn was made by Marcel-Auguste Raoux (1795–1871), who produced prize-winning horns and performed in the band of the French Imperial Guard and orchestra of the Théâtre Italien in Paris. The Raoux family were one of France’s leading makers of brass instruments and had enjoyed royal patronage from 1690 onwards. This instrument is made for a left-handed player and originally belonged to Giovanni Puzzi (1797–1876) an Italian-born virtuoso, whose career flourished in both Paris and London. He could boast of having been employed by both Napoleon and the Duke of Wellington, and this horn was said to have been presented to him by the King of France, most likely Charles X (reigned 1826–1830). On loan to the Horniman Museum. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | W.83 to E-1926 |
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| Record created | June 23, 2008 |
| Record URL |
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