Serpent in C 1830 - 1850

"Serpent in C" is a musical instrument created by English maker Thomas Key between 1830 and 1850, now on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. The Serpent, a woodwind instrument, is shaped like a serpent with a long, winding tube, and a flared bell. This particular instrument is made of wood covered in leather and features a brass mouthpiece and decorative brass fittings along the tubing. The serpent was popular in the 18th and 19th centuries, often used in military bands and church music. This example of the serpent is an intriguing example of a fascinating musical instrument from a bygone era.