Flugobjekt mit eingebautem Saiteninstrument

The engraving shows a mechanical musical instrument shaped like a horn or fuselage, with strings stretched across its wide aperture. A disembodied head, representing the wind, blows across the strings to create sound, while a knotted rope suggests the device is meant to be hung outdoors. This illustrates an early conceptual design for an automated musical instrument powered by nature.

This image represents Athanasius Kircher’s preoccupation with 'natural magic,' where mechanical ingenuity harnesses natural forces to reveal the underlying harmonic structure of the world. It aligns with his broader project of demonstrating the Musica Mundana (music of the world) through experimental acoustics and automated sounding devices.