A legacy of Brass Dragons and Serpents: The ophicleide is a metal instrument with a cup-shaped mouthpiece and a deep resonating tone. A relative of bass horns and keyed bugles, it was first patented by Parisian instrument maker, Jean Hilaire Aste (or Halary) in 1821. Like the basse-cor, ophicleides generally have a U-shape and 9 to12 keys along the body of the instrument. Some have bells resembling the jaws of a dragon or serpent, although most have a more familiar curved bell opening.
From 1820 to around 1840, ophicleides of many different sizes were very popular among western European and British brass bands. Works by Wagner, Mendelssohn, and Verdi feature this instrument, but by the mid-century, ophicleides were frequently replaced by tubas.