Flute in D, boxwood, silver mounts. Six finger holes, eight silver keys, the body keys round and deeply cupped, the foot keys plug-type, mounted in turned blocks. Movable cork-lined hardwood stopper. Metal lined head and tuning slide. Sounding length (embouchure to foot) is 57.6 cm. Silver mounts on foot deep and milled; cap similarly milled, embossed with the royal arms and inscribed: 'Rudall & Rose, Patentees'. Stamped: 'Rudall & Rose 38 Southampton Street Strand London' (quatrefoil mark and number 5580).
Despite the dominance of metal cylindrical Boehm system flutes in most orchestras, wooden simple system flutes are preferred by players for certain uses. Examples include traditional Irish music and folk bands, where old wooden flutes such as this instrument by Rudall & Rose are prized.
