Walking-Stick Clarinet in C
Ascribed to Henry Pourcelle American
Not on view
Walking-stick instruments of all varieties were popular in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Novelty walking sticks, which might include umbrellas, flasks, guns, musical instruments, or other items were fashionable accessories for gentlemen of all ages. Flutes and violins were the most popular instrument walking sticks.
Technical Description: Seven varnished boxwood sections including solid end tipped with steel and nickel-silver, vent section with two unequal vent holes, lower, middle, and upper body sections, barrel with socket at both ends, barrel extension with tenon at both ends and mouthpiece socket within upper (cap) tenon, cocus mouthpiece with contemporary reed tied on, and mouthpiece cap with a dark streak in the grain and carved grips resembling a rectangular hammer face opposite an axe blade; 7/1 fingerholes, ten brass cupped keys (lowest standing open) with stuffed pads mounted on turned rings and blocks and brass pillars, seven horn ferrules.
