teak, ivory, ebony, leather, metal, felt, 473 x 270 x 175 mm

labelled ‘IMPORTED BY / CHAPPELL & CO. LTD. / 50 NEW BOND STREET, LONDON’ and ‘97770’

1998.60.128 Castle 201 (purchased Burt)

The regal organ is a descendant of the reed organ of the middle ages.

It can be played by either one or two people. A single person usually plays the instrument on the knees or a table, working the bellows with one hand and keyboard with the other. It has a range of three octaves provided by the three hand stops and creates ‘a sweet tone’.

It was purchased by Zillah Castle from ‘the widow of Burt, Wellington who has a musical instrument shop and was a local musician.’