421.121.12

Flute. Seven-keyed Nicholson's Improved model (one key missing). African blackwood (granadilla) with silver plated brass keys, ferrules and end cap. Nickel silver-plated tuning slide on barrel. Keys are block mounted with saltspoon cups and stuffed fish skin pads. Conical bore. Five joints. String lapped tenons. Turned grooves on head joint and barrel. Knurled ring decoration on ferrules. Head joint stamped: IMPROVED; Upper joint stamped: CLEMENTI & Co./LONDON/C. NICHOLSON'S/IMPROVED; Lower joint and foot joint stamped: CLEMENTI & Co./LONDON

London flute virtuoso and designer Charles Nicholson dazzled listeners with his powerful tone and his flutes attracted a wide following. Nicholson's playing inspired Theobald Boehm to design his own flute.

object
MUSEUM NUMBER
2004.1140
PLACE
COLLECTION
MEASUREMENTS
overall length: 675 mm
MATERIAL/TECHNIQUE
silver plating; nickel; African blackwood; cork; string; fish skin; copper alloy; brass
CATEGORY
Musical Instruments
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