Klaxon - Etienne Teste - Testophone 2079
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Description from the seller
The object presented is a multi-tone mechanical horn (sound apparatus) by the Le Testophone brand, based on the Etienne Teste system, manufactured in France around 1905-1910. This example, bearing serial number 2079, consists of four brass horns of increasing lengths connected to a central cylindrical air distributor.
The body of the device is richly engraved with international patent mentions (France S.G.D.G, England 1908, Canada 1909, Belgium, Mexico, USA), which attests to the technical importance of this mechanism at the time of the transition to mass motorization. The system allowed, via a rotary gear selector still visible on the side, to produce a succession of notes forming a simple melody or a chord, typical of luxury automobile accessories of the Belle Époque.
State of preservation and observations
Materials: Brass and copper alloys.
Structure: All four horns are present. There are traces of natural oxidation, a dark patina, and a few minor deformations on the edges of the horns (visible in the photos).
Defects and damages: The object shows a significant missing part: one of the closures of the main cylinder is absent, leaving the internal mechanism partially exposed. A perforation on one of the tubes is also to be noted, requiring welding repair.
The object presented is a multi-tone mechanical horn (sound apparatus) by the Le Testophone brand, based on the Etienne Teste system, manufactured in France around 1905-1910. This example, bearing serial number 2079, consists of four brass horns of increasing lengths connected to a central cylindrical air distributor.
The body of the device is richly engraved with international patent mentions (France S.G.D.G, England 1908, Canada 1909, Belgium, Mexico, USA), which attests to the technical importance of this mechanism at the time of the transition to mass motorization. The system allowed, via a rotary gear selector still visible on the side, to produce a succession of notes forming a simple melody or a chord, typical of luxury automobile accessories of the Belle Époque.
State of preservation and observations
Materials: Brass and copper alloys.
Structure: All four horns are present. There are traces of natural oxidation, a dark patina, and a few minor deformations on the edges of the horns (visible in the photos).
Defects and damages: The object shows a significant missing part: one of the closures of the main cylinder is absent, leaving the internal mechanism partially exposed. A perforation on one of the tubes is also to be noted, requiring welding repair.
Details
Type
Klaxon
Number of objects
1
Brand
Etienne Teste
Condition
Reasonable
Model
Testophone 2079
Authenticity
Original/official
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