Sopranino Saxhorn in E-flat 1867 - 1880

This is a Sopranino Saxhorn in E-flat, crafted by Henry G. Lehnert, a tangible echo from the 19th century when instruments like these were being developed. Note the coiled tubing, the valves, and the bell of the horn; each carries its own symbolic weight, reflective of its function: the coiling allows for a longer tube in a smaller space, the valves are the technological heart of the instrument, and the bell, from which the music resounds to an audience. The instrument is a distant relative to the Roman tuba, and the medieval cornett, with its own twists, turns, and keys. Musical instruments carry sounds that evoke memories, and the form has been used by artists to represent ideas like harmony, order, and civilization. It is a powerful force that engages viewers on a deep, subconscious level. The Saxhorn, developed in the mid-19th century, takes these notions further, adding a level of mechanical complexity. The Saxhorn shows a non-linear, cyclical progression that has resurfaced, evolved, and taken on new meanings in different historical contexts.