The saxhorn is any one of a family of valved brass instruments named after Adolphe Sax, who did much to bring them to their present day form.
The saxhorn is a brass instrument with a characteristic tapered bore and a deep cup-shaped mouthpiece, blending elements of other brass families like trumpets and horns. Developed possibly in the mid- to late-1830s, they were patented in Paris in 1845. Like saxophones they were designed for band use and built - for interchangeability of fingering etc - in alternating Bb and Eb pitches. The modern flugelhorn, tenor horn (alto horn in the US), euphonium, and tuba are survivors of this family.
By constantly experimenting, Sax changed the saxhorn's valve pattern during the mid-1850s, and eventually created a family of more than ten models of different sizes. Saxhorns were popularized by the distinguished Distin Quintet, who toured Europe during the mid-nineteenth century. This family of musicians, publishers and instrument manufacturers had a significant impact on the growth of the brass band movement in Great Britain during the mid-to late-1800s. A contemporary work featuring this instrument is Desire Dondeyne's "Tubissimo", for bass tuba or saxhorn and piano (1983).