What is the goal of this operation?

I am interested - now what?

The Instrument

Carnices were a kind of Celtic trumpets or horns which - amongst other purposes - were also used in battle to announce to the enemy the approaching forces from a distance (and maybe scare them into leaving without an open conflict, might I say... ;-). It is relatively safe to speculate that it could have been played at festivities and rituals as well, since all these events likewise involved a 'call upon the Gods' for safety, prosperity and well being, for which the sound of the instrument was believed to be the carrier.

The Carnyx was made of beaten bronze and held vertically so that the sound travels from more than three metres above the ground.  It was known through much of Europe from about 200BC to 200AD and was widely depicted - notably on the Gundestrup bowl which shows three carnyces being played simultaneously.

The best surviving part of a Carnyx was found in North East Scotland and exhibits local design elements. The end of the instrument is in the form of a wild boar's head, and it has a movable tongue and lower jaw. The craftsmanship is superb. The reconstruction was co-ordinated by John Purser, Scotland’s most eminent musicologist, made by John Creed, a silversmith and artist, with archaeological advice from Fraser Hunter, archaeologist with the National Museums of Scotland and in consultation with John Kenny, the talented and renowned musician who brought the sound of the Carnyx back to life after an estimated 17 to 19 Centuries. The research and reconstruction of the Deskford Carnyx was funded jointly by a Glenfiddich Living Scotland award and by the National Museums of Scotland, who own both the original artifact and the reconstruction.

Read all about the reconstruction of the Deskford Carnyx at:  http://www.carnyx.mcmail.com/carnyx.htm

The Goal

I may not be the only one very much interested in obtaining a replica myself. In the description of the Deskford Carnxy, we can read: "We can now show beyond reasonable doubt that the Carnyx ended its life as a sacrifice, a votive offering to some unknown god." It is my understanding from this evidence amongst others, that this specific instrument represents an outstanding variation in terms of material and craftsmanship - a quality standard which has apparently been applied on the making of the reconstruction as well.

However - if I as a musical amateur wanted to start fooling around with a violin, it wouldn't have to be a Stradivari either...  It would have to look like a violin, feel like a violin and produce a sound as close as possible to the one of a Stradivari in relation to the financial investment I would be willing to make as a beginner - possibly willing to invest more in a better instrument at a later point in time - just like in any musical training. I am also quite sure that there would be a reasonable demand for Carnices for exclusively decorative purposes and/or as a collector's item amongst the growing number of people interested in Celtic culture, heritage and spirituality.

Since there is no supply for 'Beginner's Carnices' yet, the objective of this action would be to focus an eventual demand from the community within this action and ultimately create such a supply of instruments - A playable Carnyx akin to the 'museum-quality' replicas, yet at a price affordable for the general public and of decent looks, material and craftsmanship.

Interested?

There are three ways how you can demonstrate your solidarity with the idea of bringing the Carnyx back to life.

As a Supporter, you send a quick Email message to  carnyx@euro-celts.com , stating your interest in this action. By doing so, you will not be obliged to do or buy anything at all and there are no legal consequences whatsoever for your vote at this point. This merely helps me oversee how many people like the project and would possibly be interested in obtaining an affordable Carnyx somewhere in the future - always depending on the details of the product and price of course. Also - As this project advances, I might need your Email address to ask you further, detailed questions for the benefit and success of this operation.

As a Sponsor, you can order a handmade miniature 3D relief pin resembling the Carnyx to proudly wear around town. The pin will have a size of appx. 1 1/2" x 1/2" and will be made of epoxy resin; bronze stained and aged to fit every wear from flannell shirts to your regular everyday smoking :-)  The pin can be ordered by Snailmail for 10US$

Please mail your order to carnyx@euro-celts.com

The proceeds from the sale of sponsor pins will exclusively be used towards the organizational and administrative expenses for the project in an attempt to make it self supportive.

Finally - as a Reservator :-) you can decide right now to have your own Carnyx made as outlined by the definitions on this webpage. As this is the very beginning of Operation Pro Carnyx, an estimated final cost of the equivalent of 700US$ to 800US$ is an initial idea only and subject to change with further notice. Your reservation will be judged as a temporary order for statistical/administrative purposes and you would be asked to place a definite order once the required minimum amount of reservations would be reached and the Carnices could go into production.

Thank you for your support of Operation Pro Carnyx. Any help in any way for making this idea work will certainly be appreciated ninefold at least :-) May we be able in our time to bring back to our everyday lives another piece long lost of our culture for the benefit of all future generations - Celtic or Non-Celtic alike.

Dan T. Felber / One next to Willows

Dan T. Felber1 X 2 Willows
© 05. November 2002