End-blown trumpet
Date1900-1925 ca.
Place MadeGujarat, India, Asia
Place MadeRajasthan, India, Asia
Serial No.none
SignednoneMarkingsnone
DescriptionUsed for religious and social gatherings, the nagphani (or sometimes, nagfani) is an integral part of musical life in Rajasthan and Gujarat. Its name comes from its serpentine shape, referencing the Naga, a semidivine member of Indian mythology. The bell of this example, like others, is embellished to look like an open mouth. If you look closely, you can see a human face emerging from the rippled metal.
It is commonly associated with the sadhus (holy men), because of the power harnessed by invoking the serpent, an intimate companion of Lord Shiva. Iconographic depictions of Shiva often include a cobra coiled around his neck. The instrument is also used by naqqals (story tellers, mimics; also translated as female impersonators who perform political satire) and mirasis (singers, a caste known as Mirasi).
Brass tubing with flared copper bell. It has an integral, conical brass mouthpiece; shallow metal cup inserted into top of elongated mouthpiece-tube section.
DimensionsHeight: 380 mm
Width: 440 mm
Depth: 55 mm
Sounding length: 1500 mm
ProvenanceThis instrument was alledged by Arne B. Larson to have been collected in 1949 by Lowell Thomas, the adventurer and journalist, when he made his famous trek from India across the Himalayas at Nathu-La, a 14,800' pass, to the Tibetan plateau and to the holy city of Lhasa. Later, Arne B. Larson states that Thomas sent the nagfani to him (although this lineage is suspect), who had written to Thomas before he left, asking him to bring an instrument back.
Published ReferencesCross, Thomas E., Instruments of Burma, India, Nepal, Thailand and Tibet, SMM Catalog Vol. II (1982), p. 6.
Cross, Thomas E., Instruments of Burma, India, Nepal, Thailand and Tibet, M.M. Thesis, University of South Dakota, May 1983, p. 13, plate III.
André P. Larson, The National Music Museum: A Pictorial Souvenir (Vermillion: National Music Museum, 1988), p. 30.
Dr. Ido Abravaya, Music at First Sight II- Musical instruments, 10158, (The Open University of Israel, 2006). (published in Hebrew)
Credit LineArne B. Larson Collection, 1979
Object number01234
On View
On view
1850-1875 ca.
1900-1930 ca.
