26-inch kettledrum.
1
Photo by Antonia Reeve © The University of Edinburgh
InstrumentKettledrum |
Instrument FamilyPercussion |
MakerButler |
Place MadeEurope; United Kingdom; Great Britain |
Date MadeCirca 1875 |
DescriptionTechnical description: Copper shell made from three sheets seamed together; release hole in bottom of bowl; metal reinforcing frame inside. Tuning T-handle on side at end of a metal shaft with two screw threads of opposite sense inside the bowl; two wooden threaded cross-pieces mounted on brass nuts on the screwed rod, each end of both cross-pieces fitted with a pulley; eight laterally-mounted pulley wheels in frames in the bowl with tangential axles; six circumferential external pulleys with radial axles mounted on exterior of bowl; at each of the ten original tensioning points there is a hook which is attached to the outside of the flesh hoop and passes through the skin, with loosely mounted pulley on each hook. All tensioning fitments of brass, with steel cable. Repair History: Two screw rod tensioners added by James Blades at points where the mechanism is less effective; this makes the drum capable of a pure tone it could not otherwise produce. Stamped on shell with: monogram GB / "BUTLER / MAKER / HAYMARKET LONDON / & / DUBLIN". Stamped on each counter-hoop with military mark: vertical arrow and "BO". Printed paper label inside shell, probably not original: "H. POTTER, / No. 2, BRIDGE STREET / Real Manufacterer of / BASS, TENOR. SIDE, AND KETTLE / DRUMS, / TO HER MAJESTY'S OFFICE OF / ORDNANCE, AND BRIGADE OF GUARDS, / IN WOOD, BRASS, COPPER, or SILVER." Performance characteristics: Range C³ to F³. Specific usage history: The added tensioners suggest that the instruments were used by James Blades in situations where tonal quality was of more importance than it might have been for the instrument's original intended function. |
Other InformationSpecific usage history: The added tensioners suggest that the instruments were used by James Blades in situations where tonal quality was of more importance than it might have been for the instrument's original intended function. |
NotesA. Myers; C. Overton and R. Parks, 16.5.98. |
ProvenancePurchased, 1982. |
CollectionBlades Collection; MIMEd |
Accession Number1661 |