Jingling Johnny
Vernacular Name
- Schellenbaum
ALTERNATE NAME(S)
- Turkish Crescent
Date1920 ca.
Place MadeMarkneukirchen, Germany, Europe
SignedNoneDescriptionTraditional Turkish music has complex rhythmic schemes, wavering pitches, and scalesystems that are all very different from Western European music. Military music of the Ottoman Empire was especially intriguing to Europeans, especially when equipped with a flamboyant banner called the “ṭuġ” or “çağana.” It was made of polished metal and dyed horsehair tassels and often adorned with bells. European military bands of the 1700s and 1800s emulated the Ottomans, parading with their own “Turkish crescent” or “jingling Johnny.” By the late 1800s, the Ottoman Empire was on the wane. Germany served as its self-appointed protector. The German version of the instrument — the schellenbaum (“bell tree”) — came to symbolize its dominance over the Ottomans.DimensionsHeight: 9ft 4inProvenanceIn 1921, purchased by Joseph Hunleth, while on vacation in Markneukirchen, Germany. Hunleth displayed it in his music store in St. Louis, Missouri, until 1955, when he sold it to Frederick Elbel.Published ReferencesLarson, André P., National Music Museum Newsletter 24, No. 2 (January 1997), p. 5.
Credit LineGift of Frederick C. and Lilla Elbel, 1996
Object number05976
On View
On view
1875 ca.
1780 ca.
1880-1900 ca.
1714-1727 ca.