postal horn

Postal horn (post horn). Depicted as a coiled, valveless brass horn, like a horn or trumpet, with two red tassels. Sometimes used to mark announcements, and various things about brass instruments, music, or mail. In 18th-19th century Europe, the postal horn marked the arrival of the mail coach and cleared its way, much like a modern steam whistle. Today, post boxes (mail boxes) and many European postal services use it as a symbol, as can be seen on European post office logos.