Set of Uillean (union) bagpipes

Micheal O'Cianain

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Alternative Title

Union pipes.

Instrument

Bagpipe/Bagpipes/Wind/Musical Instrument ; Bagpipe

Instrument Family

Wind

Maker

Micheal O'Cianain

Date Made

Mid 20th Century

Description

Set of Union pipes, bellows-blown with chanter, and bass, baritone, and tenor drones, and baritone and tenor regulators. Ebony and silver with ivory mounts for the chanter, drones, and regulator. Rosewood common stock with silver and ivory mounts, green velvet bag with silver-thread fringe. Chanter: Ebony with ivory mounts on tenon and at distal end and silver ferrule at neck and at distal end. Six open finger-holes and one thumb-hole. Five closed keys with flat square head and leaf springs. Three keys are block mounted with pins, the remaining two are post and pillar mounted. Double reed of cane. Chanter has a silver connecting pipe with ivory top that covers the reed and connects it to the bag. Chanter stock of ebony with ivory mount and silver ferrule. Common stock: rosewood with ivory rings and long silver ferrule. Silver drone-stop key controls a round leather-padded brass stopper. Six openings at bottom of stock, three filled with cork. These three openings are connected to a central channel which can be opened or closed by the drone-stop key. Bass drone: four sections. First section is a silver tube with ivory mounts; tube makes a complete loop. First ivory mount has been flattened on one side to accommodate the drone-stop key. Second section is ebony wrapped in silver with two ivory rings. H-shaped third section of silver tubing. Fourth section consists of silver tubing terminating in a circular end with ebony and ivory mounts around centre opening. Cane idioglottal reed. Baritone drone: three sections. First section is silver tube with two ivory mounts and one ivory ring. First ivory mount has been flattened on one side to accommodate the drone-stop key. Second and third sections are ebony wrapped in silver with ivory rings and an ivory top. Fragments of a cane idioglottal reed remain. Tenor drone: three sections. All sections are ebony wrapped in silver with ivory mounts and an ivory top. Cane idioglottal reed. Baritone regulator: ebony regulator with ivory mounts and silver ferrule at top. Ivory top with ivory-tipped tuning plug of brass. Four closed, flat-head keys on post and pillar mounts. The top key has an elongated touchpiece. Cane double-reed. Tenor regulator: ebony regulator with ivory mounts and silver ferrule at top. Ivory top with ivory-tipped tuning plug of brass. Five closed, flat-head keys on post and pillar mounts. Cane double-reed. Connecting pipe: rosewood connecting pipe with leather flap at opening. Silver ferrule at bellows. Bellows: oak boards with dark brown leather gusset. Metal hinge, possibly of nickel-silver. Ivory and ebony valve bushing. Leather belt and leather arm strap. Gusset tacked to the underside of the boards rather than stitched through. Bag: sheepskin bag.Bag cover: green velvet bag cover, with silver-thread fringe at opening and outer edge. Measurements: chanter length 370mm, conical bore beginning at 5.5mm and ending at 13.0mm; bass drone length c1350mm; baritone drone length 445mm; tenor drone 215mm; baritone regulator 350mm; tenor regulator 300mm. Repair History: The tenor drone pipe was broken off at the tenon and the tenon was stuck in the common stock. The tenon has been removed and glued back to the tenor drone. A wooden dowel has been inserted into this pipe to reinforce the tube and to prevent it from breaking again. The bag has received conservation treatment and is now covered by a linen sacrificial bag. The bag cover has also received conservation treatment.

Notes

Sarah Deters, 15.4.13.

Provenance

Formerly owned by the late Frank Tomes ; Estate of Frank Tomes (1936-2011); purchased by Tomes 5 April 1971 from Reuben Greene (known as Reuben Reubens). ; Purchased with the assistance of the Heritage Lottery Fund, 2012.

Collection

MIMEd ; MIMEd ; 2012.2.

Accession Number

6049

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