Advanced Search 
View: Assembled
Harmonica
James Amireaux Bazin (American, 1798–1883)
about 1830–40
Object Place: Canton, Massachusetts, United States
Medium/Technique
Copper, brass
Dimensions
Length 9.4 cm, width 5.7 cm, thickness 3.1 cm (Length 3 11/16 in., width 2 1/4 in., thickness 1 1/4 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Allen B. Sly and William Lindsey Fund, by exchange
Accession Number1995.87
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsAmericas, Musical Instruments
ClassificationsMusical instruments – Aerophones
DescriptionConical body of copper, painted dark green, with rectangular chamber soldered to side to receive removable reed cartridge. Cap of silver cap attached to wide end, perforated by two square holes. Reed cartridge comprised of seventeen square-section cells of brass, each containing free reed except end cells, which are dummies. Compass of b to b2 (fifteen notes in diatonic scale). Pitch of A=433-438 cps. Missing sliding mouthpiece.
InscriptionsStamped at end of body: J. A. BAZIN / B; engraved on face of body: PATENT / Sold by John Ashton / Boston
ProvenanceBy 1995, sold at auction, New Castle, Maine, to Kaja Veilleux, New Castle, Maine; 1995, sold by Veilleux to the MFA. (Accession Date: May 24, 1995)
Home, Sweet Home, from Clari, the Maid of Milan, 1822
Composed by John Howard Payne
Performed by Darcy Kuronen