"20-inch kettledrum"

20-inch kettledrum | Unknown maker | Early or mid 18th century

Audio Clips

This set of timpani are from the time of Mozart. They are sall compared to modern examples and woud have been placed on a table when played. The drum is tuned by hand and required great skill in order to tune the instrument quickly in orchestral used.Probably acquired by Sir Samuel Hellier (1736-1784) for orchestral use at Wombourne, Staffordshire. Lent by J.W. Phillips (Shaw Hellier Collection).

Kettledrum

Instrument Data

Instrument Information

Title

20-inch kettledrum

Alternative Title

Timpani

Accession Number

3327

Collection

MIMEd; Shaw-Hellier Collection

Date Information

Date Made

Early or mid 18th century

Gallery Information

Gallery

Wolfson Gallery

Case

Percussion case 7

Maker Information

No information recorded.

Made In

No information recorded.

Description

Other Information

Specific usage history: Probably one of the instruments acquired by Sir Samuel Hellier (1736-1784) for orchestral use at Wombourne, Staffordshire.

Technical Description

Bowl of brass with three turned feet. Vellum heads lapped directly onto hoops. Square-headed tensioners requiring a key. Paper label inside shell inscribed "L.W. HUNT DRUM COMPANY LIMITED / Pair 18th Century drums, approximately 1750, constructed of brass, They have been beaten from one sheet of material, this being proved by the base of the shells being much thicker than the tops and there being no joins whatsoever in them. / At some period they have been emerged" (sic) "in a bath of copper sulphate to give the shells the appearance of being made in copper, but the drums are now, the 19th February 1965, as near the original as possible. / L.W. Hunt Drum Company Limited." Specific usage history: Probably one of the instruments acquired by Sir Samuel Hellier (1736-1784) for orchestral use at Wombourne, Staffordshire. Repair History: Refurbished 1965. Tensioners possibly reconditioned or replaced.

Provenance

on loan to the Collection.

Classification