French flageolet. One of a matching pair. African blackwood (grenadilla) or cocuswood with nickel silver-plated keys and ferrules. Keys are pillar mounted and have circular flaps with fish skin pads. Lower joint thumbhole bushed with nickel silver plate. Four joints: wind distributor, sponge chamber, upper joint and lower joint. String lapped tenons. Mouthpiece missing. Paper label on sponge chamber written in D.J. Blaikley's hand: 6 SINGLE/ FLAGEOLET/COCUSWOOD-/5 G.S KEYS ON PILLARS. Comments by Douglas MacMillan following examination on 16.6.11: Type: French flageolet à pompe, Length: 308/155, materials : cocus with German silver mounts, Pieces : 4, Holes : 4+2, Keys : pillar mounted and long trill keys saddle mounted - a#, d#, 2 long trill keys : whistle key : german silver : circular key flaps, Stamp on sponge chamber: (flower) / J.R.LAFLEUR & SON / LONDON / (flower)
back: 12.0866 x 1.1811 x 1.1811 in.; 307 x 30 x 30 mm;
The flageolet is a duct flute that is classified according to the system of Hornbostel and Sachs as an 'open flute with internal duct, with fingerholes and keys'.
