Sea Dragon
This and a similar dragon in The Cincinnati Art Museum are the only known instruments of this kind to survive. Used as a stage prop, it probably appeared in masquerades and theatrical scenes depicting the underworld. The instruments were capable of producing sounds and noises that supported onstage dramaturgical actions both visually and aurally. Made from two joined hollowed out lengths of wood, the dragon was then sculpted, painted a dark green and gilded on its head and fins. During the 19th century the body was partially re-painted black. The original mouthpiece and bocal are now missing.
Artwork Details
- Title: Sea Dragon
- Date: 17th century
- Geography: Italy
- Culture: Italian
- Medium: Wood, brass, gilding
- Dimensions: Height: 54 1/2 in. (138.4 cm)
Width: 8 in. (20.3 cm)
Depth: 3 1/2 in. (8.9 cm) - Classification: Aerophone-Reed Vibrated-double reed
- Credit Line: The Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments, 1889
- Object Number: 89.4.881a–c
- Curatorial Department: Musical Instruments
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Multiple artists/makers
ca. 1670
Georg Henrich Scherer
ca. 1750–57
Johann Wilhelm Haas
late 17th century
Andreas Naeplaesnigg
1790
Jacob Schmidt
ca. 1710–20
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