Speaking Trumpet
date: label: date made
content: unknown
name: label: maker
content: unknown
notes: label: Description (Brief)
content: As more American volunteer fire fighting companies began to form during the late 18th century, a need emerged for better organized efforts in combating conflagrations. Engineers and officers would use “speaking trumpets” to amplify their voices over the noise and commotion of a fire scene to direct the company in effectively fighting the blaze. Two trumpet variants are reflected in the collection: plain and functional “working” trumpets that were actively used at fires, and highly decorated “presentation” trumpets. Presentation trumpets were awarded to firefighters in honor of their service, or between fire companies during visits, competitions, and musters.
label: Description (Brief)
content: This presentation trumpet dates to the 19th century and features an engraved floral motif. The center portion of the trumpet’s shaft has an engraved image of a steam engine. There are four circular insets on the trumpets bell. In two insets on opposite sides of the bell is the engraved image of a wreath. An image of two schooners sailing on water surrounded by clouds and seagulls is engraved in one inset, with an image of two crossed ladders behind a hanging banner on the opposite side. Two eagle heads protrude from the shaft holding rings in their beaks through which a blue cord with tassels is strung.
label: Location
content: Currently not on view
place: label: place made
content: United States
setName: label: See more items in
content: Home and Community Life: Fire Fighting and Law Enforcement
label: See more items in
content: Cultures & Communities
label: See more items in
content: Work
label: See more items in
content: Firefighting Collection
label: See more items in
content: Speaking Trumpets
creditLine: label: Credit Line
content: Gift of CIGNA Museum and Art Collection
dataSource: label: Data Source
content: National Museum of American History
identifier: label: ID Number
content: 2005.0233.0909
label: accession number
content: 2005.0233
label: catalog number
content: 2005.0233.0909
objectType: label: Object Name
content: trumpet, speaking
physicalDescription: label: Measurements
content: overall: 23 in x 9 1/4 in; 58.42 cm x 23.495 cm