De Prins piccolo

This miniature instrument is a piccolo trumpet manufactured by the famous Belgian workshop De Prins Gebr. (De Prins Brothers), bearing serial number 28484. Visually, it is an incredibly charming and "cute" specimen that beautifully showcases the compact craftsmanship of mid-century European brass makers.

Interestingly, while there is absolutely no visible structural damage or mechanical flaw to be found on the horn, it does not play particularly well. It stands here as a perfect museum example of how a vintage instrument can be aesthetically flawless, yet still harbor its own stubborn acoustic character.