Collection > Minstrel bones
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American,
19th century
Unknown
ca. 1860
Classification: Idiophone
Credit Line: Gift of George Lauder Greenway, Yale BA 1925
Accession Number: 1000.1963
Department: Yale Collection of Musical Instruments
Description
Set of four silver-mounted minstrel bones made from a tropical hardwood, possibly rosewood or lignum vitae (Guaiacum officinale or G. sanctum).
Inscriptions
Engraved on the metal tips of two 'bones': "Presented / to / C. H. Atkinson / by the / Niagra Fire / Association / New Britain / CT / June 9th / 1860"; engraved on the metal tip of a third 'bone': (minstrel playing the banjo); engraved on opposite end: (fireman's regalia) / "C. H. A."; engraved on the tip of a fourth 'bone': (minstrel playing two sets of bones); engraved on minstrel's belt: "CHAMPION"; engraved on opposite end: (fireman's regalia) / "C. H. A."; engraved on reverse of each tip: (floral pattern); illegible ink inscription written on flap-interior of leather pouch: (illegible)
Dimensions
16.9 × 2.9 cm (6 5/8 × 1 1/8 in), 16.9 × 2.9 cm (6 5/8 × 1 1/8 in), 17 × 2.9 cm (6 11/16 × 1 1/8 in), 16.8 × 2.9 cm (6 5/8 × 1 1/8 in)
Minstrel bones
Photo credit: Susan E. Thompson
Description
Set of four silver-mounted minstrel bones made from a tropical hardwood, possibly rosewood or lignum vitae (Guaiacum officinale or G. sanctum).
Inscriptions
Engraved on the metal tips of two 'bones': "Presented / to / C. H. Atkinson / by the / Niagra Fire / Association / New Britain / CT / June 9th / 1860"; engraved on the metal tip of a third 'bone': (minstrel playing the banjo); engraved on opposite end: (fireman's regalia) / "C. H. A."; engraved on the tip of a fourth 'bone': (minstrel playing two sets of bones); engraved on minstrel's belt: "CHAMPION"; engraved on opposite end: (fireman's regalia) / "C. H. A."; engraved on reverse of each tip: (floral pattern); illegible ink inscription written on flap-interior of leather pouch: (illegible)
Dimensions
16.9 × 2.9 cm (6 5/8 × 1 1/8 in), 16.9 × 2.9 cm (6 5/8 × 1 1/8 in), 17 × 2.9 cm (6 11/16 × 1 1/8 in), 16.8 × 2.9 cm (6 5/8 × 1 1/8 in)
American,
19th century
Unknown
ca. 1860
Classification: Idiophone
Credit Line: Gift of George Lauder Greenway, Yale BA 1925
Accession Number: 1000.1963
Department: Yale Collection of Musical Instruments
Description
Set of four silver-mounted minstrel bones made from a tropical hardwood, possibly rosewood or lignum vitae (Guaiacum officinale or G. sanctum).
Inscriptions
Engraved on the metal tips of two 'bones': "Presented / to / C. H. Atkinson / by the / Niagra Fire / Association / New Britain / CT / June 9th / 1860"; engraved on the metal tip of a third 'bone': (minstrel playing the banjo); engraved on opposite end: (fireman's regalia) / "C. H. A."; engraved on the tip of a fourth 'bone': (minstrel playing two sets of bones); engraved on minstrel's belt: "CHAMPION"; engraved on opposite end: (fireman's regalia) / "C. H. A."; engraved on reverse of each tip: (floral pattern); illegible ink inscription written on flap-interior of leather pouch: (illegible)
Dimensions
16.9 × 2.9 cm (6 5/8 × 1 1/8 in), 16.9 × 2.9 cm (6 5/8 × 1 1/8 in), 17 × 2.9 cm (6 11/16 × 1 1/8 in), 16.8 × 2.9 cm (6 5/8 × 1 1/8 in)
