Olifant (instrument)

A Olifant (also Oliphant ) is a signal horn, which was made of ivory, hence the name: Olifant is the Dutch word for elephant; Old French cor d' éléphant.

In social life, horns played only a minor role in the Middle Ages. The 10th century imported from Byzantium to Europe elephant horns were fitted with carvings and ornaments. Thus, the horn was one of the insignia of knighthood. However, its signal effect was rather moderate. There was usually only one, sometimes two and in exceptional cases three emitting sounds (natural sounds). The fabulous range of their Schalles was mostly exaggerated mightily with the intention to heroize the power of the blower.

The Olifant appeared frequently in the French literature of the Middle Ages. He was still made during the Renaissance and into the 17th century ( from bull's horns ). For example, was in England a Olifant as a special sign of dignity and honor ( important office, feud ) and was awarded instead of a document by the king. If no ivory used, one usually took gold.

Probably the most famous Olifant was in 778 the hero Roland, Margrave of Brittany and Paladin Emperor Charles the Great, which the forecast was surrounded by at Roncesvalles in the Pyrenees of the Basque people and with his horn the main army to Charlemagne called for help ( see also song of Roland ). Since his defeat was inevitable, he decided to destroy his sword ( Durendal ) and his horn, to save them from the hand of the enemy. Other sources say that he had so firmly and vigorously blown that his signal was heard far away from Charles, but his carotid artery burst and burst the horn. Nevertheless, claiming both the Treasury of St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague as well as the museum of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela to have the horn of Roland in their possession.

Comparable, mostly smaller, signal horns, which are made of material other than ivory are called bugle.