Angel Bagpipe Based on the Fresco at the Karlstejn Castle
An important and extensive source for organological research in medieval Bohemia is the stair cycle of frescoes at the royal castle of Karlstejn from the middle of the 14th century. The cycle depicts 24 angels playing various period instruments. The frescoes were remarkably well preserved until the 19th century, when they were unfortunately demolished during the reconstruction of the castle and then repainted - fortunately, according to the exact copies, so their documentary value has been preserved.
Angel bagpipe from Karlstejn represent a prototype of the most common medieval bagpipes with one chanter and one drone. The drone on the fresco seems to be in one piece. It is not clear whether this is only the painter's omission or whether it corresponds to reality; the tuning of the drone would then be impractically performed directly on the reed. I leaned towards the first variant and made the drone out of two parts.
Angel bagpipe from Karlstejn represent a prototype of the most common medieval bagpipes with one chanter and one drone. The drone on the fresco seems to be in one piece. It is not clear whether this is only the painter's omission or whether it corresponds to reality; the tuning of the drone would then be impractically performed directly on the reed. I leaned towards the first variant and made the drone out of two parts.
