The North East of England is the only region in the country to have its own musical instrument, the Northumbrian small pipes.
Our example is an early ivory and silver set commissioned by the wood engraver Thomas Bewick for his son, Robert Elliot Bewick (1788 –1849). Robert’s music books contain a repertoire of tunes which were played at this early stage of the instrument’s evolution; many of them are still popular to this day.
After Robert's death, his sisters gave his pipes and tune books to the artist and tune collector Joseph Crawhall, who also did much to encourage the Northumbrian small pipes.
By John Dunn (1764 –1820)
On display at Morpeth Chantry Bagpipe Museum
www.experiencewoodhorn.com/morpeth-bagpipe-museum
