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H?ragai; conch shell trumpet

H?ragai, end-blown conch trumpet, . Large conch shell of the species Charonia tritonis with dextral spiral. The apex of the shell has been opened and a mouthpiece added, consisting of a covering over the uppermost coils and a cylindrical brass pipe. The mouthpiece is coated in urushi laquer (derived from the sap of the tree Toxicodendron vernicifluum), onto which has been applied gold leaf. Silver wire, plaited into a narrow herringbone pattern follows the curve of the shell around the covered section. Three plaques are attached immediately beneath the brass pipe. Pitch of fundamental between A sharp and B natural.

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  • Materials:gold, lacquer, metal, shell
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  • Inscriptions:
  • Hornbostel-Sachs category:423.111.2 End-blown conches with mouthpiece
  • Repository:Horniman Museum and Gardens
  • Measurements:overall: 393 x 205 x 155 mm