Natural trumpet

This trumpet is the work of William Bull, the most renowned brass wind instrument maker in Restoration London. As well as making instruments, Bull also played the trumpet himself from an early age. His musical ability led to his appointment as Trumpeter Extraordinary to Charles II in 1666 and later the salaried position of Trumpeter in Ordinary in 1677. Bull performed in his official capacity at the coronation of James II in 1685. He was probably also responsible for making the trumpets used on that occasion. Bull originally worked at Tower Hill but later had workshops at various locations in the West End. His royal service meant he also had a room at the Tower of London which he gave up with his post in 1700. During this period he manufactured or repaired around sixteen silver trumpets for royal musicians.

Bull has decorated the bell of this trumpet with a cherub motif. The sheet silver has been stamped and soldered onto the bell section. The basic pitch of the instrument is D. The trumpet was formerly the property of Thomas Harper, a famous London trumpeter in the first half of the nineteenth century. Harper was a member of the East India Company band and inspector of its musical instruments. He was also principal trumpeter at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane and the English Opera House at the Lyceum Theatre. Upon his death in 1853 the trumpet was passed onto his son, Thomas John Harper, also a leading trumpeter of his day.