Object Record
Images
Metadata
Object Name |
Harmonica, Glass |
Title |
Grand Harmonicon |
Object ID |
2023.003.001 |
Description |
Grand Harmonicon wooden case. Made of mahogany. Case has two joints on the sides. Wooden inlay at the top of case. Inside case is twenty-four holes for playing glass to sit in, arranged in four rows and six columns. Knob and keyhole on the front of the top of the case. Case is rested on top of a pier table with two columns and a carved lyre with eagle heads at the bottom. Two clawfeet at the front with wheels on the bottom. The Grand Harmonicon was made and patented by Francis Hopkinson Smith of Eastville, VA. The instrument was produced in Baltimore where Smith had a shop. Likely made by order. Smith produced seven different versions of the instrument that differed by the cabinet work and the number of glasses included. This model was the most expensive and costed $85 in 1831 and came with twenty-five glasses. This specific model has nineteen of its original glasses. |
Artist |
Smith, Francis Hopkinson |
People |
Smith, Francis Hopkinson |
Search Terms |
Baltimore Music Smith |
Subjects |
Entertainment Furniture Music |
Year Range from |
1820 |
Year Range to |
1840 |