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Pitt Rivers Museum

1938.34.69

Shofar, end-blown trumpet of ram's horn. [El.B 02/09/2009]


1938.34.69

Digital asset copyright: Pitt Rivers Museum, University of Oxford

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Collection type
Object
Description
Shofar, end-blown trumpet of ram's horn. [El.B 02/09/2009]
Cultural groups
English
Person
Maker Unknown Maker
Field collector Lord Herschell
Field collector Richard Farrer Herschel
Field collector Farrer Herschel
PRM source Henry Balfour
Date / Period
Date made: Before 1918
Date collected
By 1918
Acquisition information
Bequeathed: 1939
Materials and processes
Material Sheep Horn Animal, Process Perforated, Process Repaired (local)
Dimensions
Diameter: max 15 mm mouth hole, Length: max 450 mm, Width: max 60 mm bell, Depth: max 20 mm bell
Object numbers
Accession number: 1938.34.69 Other numbers: Balfour 69
Research and responses

The following was formerly in the 'Description' field. The initials are presumably those of Jeremy Montagu (former Curator of the Bate Collection and University Lecturer, University of Oxford, 1981-1995): 'Old synagogue trumpet, shofar. Tube constricted to form embouchure. Several holes. Original repairs with red sealing wax, no decorations. (JM).' [JC 10 6 2009]

Associated publications
Published in the 'Inventory of Judaica and Hebraica in Oxford Colleges and Museums' on the website of the Oxford Jewish Heritage Commitee at https://www.oxfordjewishheritage.co.uk/projects/judaica-and-relevant-hebraica-in-oxford/89-inventory-of-judaica-and-hebraica (2009); '7) Shofars...v) Accession number:  1938.34.69 Shofar, trumpet of ram’s horn, 450 mm long. Several holes have been repaired with red sealing wax. The accession book entry provides no definite provenance, but states that it was used by "English Jews". From the collection of either Richard Farrer Herschell or Farrer Herschell. Purchased from Stevens Auction Rooms by Henry Balfour in 1918 and bequeathed by him to the Museum by him.' [JC 14 11 2019]

Search terms: Music, Ritual and Ceremonial, Religion, Musical Instrument, Trumpet