Details
- Object type
orchestrion
- Artist/Maker
- Place Associated
Germany, Freiburg (place of manufacture)
- Date
1887
- Materials
wood, metal, glass
- Description
-
This rare, finely made Michael Welte and Söhne 'Cottage' Orchestrion, No.3, was built at the firm's Freiburg factory in Germany during the late 19th century. Described as a masterpiece of engineering, the instrument has a weight driven pulley, operated by a windlass, that activates the main bellows.
Perforated music rolls emulate the sounds of an orchestra – hence the name – through numerous, delicately voiced pipes. As well as the melody, the orchestrion produces the sounds of kettle, snare and bass drums, triangle and cymbal. A collection of rolls, the invention of the maker, includes works by Bizet, Strauss, Handel and Wagner.
- Credit Line/Donor
Purchased, 1942
- ID Number
A.1942.34.1
- Location
Kelvingrove Expression