Symphonium
ALTERNATE NAME(S)
- Mouth organ
Maker
Charles Wheatstone
Date1829 ca.
Place MadeLondon, England, Europe
Serial No.18
SignedAbove embouchure: By His Majesty’s Letters Patent Below embouchure: C WHEATSTONE, / INVENTOR, / 20, Conduit St. Regent St. / LONDON
MarkingsStamped inside face-plate: 18
Pitch letters stamped by each button.
DescriptionMouth-blown, harmonica-like instrument with buttons on its sides. Rectangular box-shaped body of nickel-silver, standing on four out-turned legs. Oval embouchure hole lined with ivory bushing. Twelve ivory-tipped buttons (seven on player’s left hand and five on player’s right hand). The twelfth button opens a valve on the player’s left at the embouchure plate. Compass is g to c (twelve pitches; including f and f-sharp). Nickel-silver reed plates with silver reeds.
The symphonium was invented by Sir Charles Wheatstone (1802-1875), a well-known scientist for his work in electricity as the co-inventor of the telegraph. He also did a lot of work in acoustics science. In 1829, Wheatstone patented his symphonium, which was inspired in the free-reed technology of the Chinese sheng. The symphonium is considered to be an early prototype of the concertina---also developed by Wheatstone---as the same patent mentions the possibility of adding a “portable bellow” and features drawings as such.
DimensionsHeight: 55.4mm (2.183 in)
Width: 55.5mm (2.188 in)
Depth: 22.5mm (0.887 in)
ProvenancePurchased from Tony Bingham, London, England.
Published References“Recent Acquisitions.” _National Music Museum Newsletter_ 34, No. 2 (May 2007): 7.
Credit LinePurchase funds gift of Alan G. Bates, 2005
Object number10877
On View
On view
1850-1854 ca.
