Italy
Early Serpent Basshorn

Wood, brass, ivory
ca. 1816
Height: 42 inches
Wind Instruments – Brasswinds – Serpents

This early wooden cimbasso is a member of the upright serpent – basshorn family and should not be confused with the modern valved brass cimbasso. It is in four sections with four brass keys, six finger holes, with a swan-shaped bocal and an original ivory mouthpiece. At the top is a flared brass bell, while the bottom and wing joint resemble that of a reed bassoon. 

According to Renato Meucci, “The wooden cimbasso replaced the serpent as the lowest member of the brasswind family about 1816, making its first appearance at La Scala (Milan Opera House), where it was noticed by Louis Spohr.  Niccolo Paganini was perhaps the first composer to adopt the instrument, in his Violin Concert No.1 (1816); he was followed by Gaetano Donizetti, Vincenzo Bellini, and Giovanni Pacini, among others.”

Resource:  www.berliozhistoricalbrass.org/cimbasso.htm;  “Cimbasso,” Renato Meucci. “The Grove Dictionary of Musical Instruments,” 2^nd ed., Vol 1. Laurence Libin, Editor in Chief. Oxford University Press.