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This instrument is known variously as the Turkish crescent, the chapeau chinois (or Chinese hat) and the jingling johnny. It is a military instrument played by a shaking or twirling motion. It was originally played in Turkish military bands before being adopted by European bands in the 18th century.
Turkish crescent

Instrument Information

Title

Jingling Johnny

Alternative Title

Chapeau chinois.

Accession Number

6110

Collection

MIMEd; Frank Tomes Collection

Date Information

No information recorded.

Gallery Information

Gallery

Wolfson Gallery

Case

Percussion case 7

Maker Information

No information recorded.

Made In

No information recorded.

Description

Technical Description

Brass. 28 jingle bells and 10 small bells with internal clappers decoratively mounted at top of wooden pole.

Repair History: The wooden pole is a replacement.

Decorative features: From top to bottom: an eagle with wings spread and beak open, standing on a small globe, mounted above a small upturned crescent, mounted above a conical ‘chinese hat’ terminating in a flare with 8 undulations from which are suspended 16 jingle bells by rings passing through perforations in the ‘hat’; a spindle goes down from the top of the ‘hat’ to four small arms each with a small dragon’s head gripping a ring from which a jingle bell is suspended; below this is a large globe with 6 stars on the ‘equator’; below this a large open upturned crescent from the top of which are suspended 8 jingle bells by rings (4 on each side), from the bottom of which are suspended 10 clapper bells (5 on each side); below this a socket which receives the carrrying pole; a loose brass cylinder fits over the lower end of the pole.

Provenance

Gift of Susan Tomes, 2012.

Classification

Instrument

Turkish crescent/Jingles/Percussion/Musical Instrument ; Turkish crescent

Instrument Family

Percussion

Hornbostel Sachs Classification

111.242.222