As we turn our backs to the steps that lead to the Garden of Mont des Arts we see some Art Nouveau buildings on our way to the Place Royal.

A key Art Nouveau structure, the building was erected in Brussels in 1886. Now fully restored, these former “Old England” shops have regained their full glory. The marvelous museum has an amazing collection of some 7000 instruments representing a large number of countries. The central tower welcomes visitors to a pleasant tea room with a sweeping view of the city.

If I had known about the tea room when we were there, I would have made sure that we visited and rested a while there

The music room contains instruments from the 18th and 19th century, showing some fine examples of English craftsmanship. A Latin inscription above the door translates as ‘Man is carried to heaven on the wings of music’.  Within the room there is an angel with no wings hanging from the ceiling.

The instruments are displayed in groups around the room, more or less in the order that would be found in a small orchestra. Thus on the left are the strings, in the centre the woodwind and the brass, and on the right percussion.*

The woodwind section of the orchestra is well represented by the oboes and clarinets on the shelf, and the flutes on the wall are made from wood or ivory. Beside them hang two curious German flutes shaped like walking sticks. The three serpents, despite being made of wood and having finger holes rather than keys, are in fact classed as brass instruments.*

*From the Snowshill Manor and Garden guide book 2010 edition.