Natural Trumpet 1675 - 1699

This “Natural Trumpet” was made by Johann Wilhelm Haas in Germany, probably in the early 18th century, using brass. Brass instruments are made using metalworking techniques that stretch back millennia. Skilled artisans would have heated and shaped the metal, using hammers, files, and burnishers to coax it into the desired form. Notice the delicate garland engraved near the bell of the trumpet, and the ropework wrapping the tubing. This trumpet is a fine example of a craft that was both specialized and globalized. Brass was mined in Central Europe, traded widely, and fashioned into instruments for both military and courtly use. The term "natural trumpet" refers to its lack of valves; the player must have considerable skill to produce different notes using only their embouchure. The instrument's polished surface and elegant form reflect the social status of its intended user. The considerable effort that went into its manufacture elevates it beyond mere utility, making it a symbol of power and prestige, with social and cultural significance.