Natural trumpet

Shortly after the inauguration of Empress Maria Theresia in 1741, Michael Leichamschneider received a further order, this time for five trumpets. His son, who took over the workshop, later delivered a sixth trumpet. The instrument pictured here was among these instruments. Along with the other Leichamschneider trumpets, it was used in the imperial hofkapelle well into the 19th century. These natural trumpets made from silver are partially gilded and show ornaments like engravings and figurative fittings. On the bell the emblems of the Habsburg and intarsia MT pointing to Maria Theresia are visible. In the middle of the 19th century these trumpets were modernized with valves - in our days they appear reconstrcted in Baroque style.Sig.: "Michael Leichnam/schneider / in Wienn 1741" and letters: "MT" (bd/rh)

Lit.: Rudolf Hopfner: Masterpieces from the Collection of Historic Musical Instruments. A Short Guide through the Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna, Vol. 1, Vienna 2019.