Original Dutch WWI Era Turkish Crescent Instrument by Nationale Fabriek van Muziekinstrumenten of Tilburg - 44” Tall

Original Item. Only One Available. A Turkish crescent, also called Turkish jingle or a Jingling Johnny, is a percussion instrument traditionally used by military bands internationally. In some contexts it also serves as a battle trophy or object of veneration. The instrument is held vertically and when played is either shaken up and down or twisted. Sometimes there is a geared crank mechanism for rotating it.

This is a very interesting Dutch Turkish Crescent, dating to the WWI era but could be earlier. The instrument stands at roughly 44” tall and has a wide base with a roughly 16” diameter. The crescent is mostly made from nickel-plated brass, with a nickel-plated steel rod through the length of the piece. This rod is cut off at the bottom, and may have been connected to a geared crank mechanism for rotating, but we cannot say for certain whether it had this. 

The top is adorned with an umbrella of sorts with seven small stars hanging (one is missing). Below this is a depiction of a harp with four small stars hanging off of them. Below this is the double-eagle headed crescent adorned with 5 hanging stars and 10 hanging bells. There originally was a bell in both of the eagle’s mouths, but one of the two is gone. The width of the crescent is roughly 25¾”.

The large nickel-plated brass base is stamped:

PIOME D’ HONEUR
GRAND PRIX
MEDAILLE
D’OR
PARIS
NATIONALEFABRIEK
VAN
MUZIEKINSTRUMENTEN
TILBURG

This denotes the maker, which is located in Tilburg, Netherlands, and shows the prestige of the company as having won several French awards for their craftsmanship. The underside of the umbrella at the top and the base is painted red. There is heavy wear across the crescent with pieces missing as shown, but to find one of these in any sort of presentable condition is very difficult.

An outstanding Turkish Crescent of Dutch origin, ready for further research and display!