Flûte d'amour, nominal pitch: A

A. Buffet, Jne

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Instrument

Flûte d'amour/Flutes/Wind/Musical Instrument ; Flûte d'amour

Instrument Family

Wind

Maker

A. Buffet, Jne

Place Made

Paris ; Europe ; France ; Western Europe

Date Made

1838 - p 1885; probably the earlier part of this period before the `Brevet' expired

Description

This conical bore “Flûte d’Amour” was made by Buffet (‘Jeune’) in Paris who was active between 1830 and 1885. The instrument is in 3 sections with German silver keys and ferrules and metal-tipped sockets. The overall size is 805mm and the sounding length (embouchure to foot) is 718mm. It is stamped “A BUFFET / JNE / PARIS / BREVETE”. This instrument, of nominal pitch A, plays well throughout its range C4 – C7 (sounding A3 –A6). The key system of one created by Auguste Buffet and Victor Coche who formed a partnership in the 1830s to manufacture instruments with their own modifications, patenting these in 1838. This instrument probably dates from the earlier period of Buffet’s workshop before their ‘brevet’ (patent) expired. Technical description: Cocus; 3 sections; german silver keys; 4 german silver ferrules; oval embouchure-hole; screw-stopper; metal-tipped sockets; foot keys arranged so that low C♯ and low C have a touch each, plus an extra one, joined to C, overlapping C♯ and fitting neatly into curve of D♯ key, to aid sliding from D♯ to C, or C♯ to C. Fingering as for Boehm 1832 system but with closed G♯ (L4), Coche D♯ trill (R1) and Buffet's modifications: all axles on nearside, plate attached to A ring (L2), closing B♭ hole, as alternative to R1. L0: B (TT). L1: PL - C. L2: A ring; PL - B♭. L3: T. L4: G♯. R1: F ring; D♯ trill (Coche). R2: E ring; D trill. R3: D; B trill. R4: D♯; low C♯ (two touches); low C. Keymount type: rod/pillar; needle springs except for L0 and L4 keys (leaf). Keyhead type: shallow cup. Performance characteristics: Range C⁴ - C⁷ (sounding A³ - A⁶). Plays well throughout range. Usable pitch: Sounding A⁴ = c 429 Hz - c 436 Hz; probably intended to be played at Diapason Normal, A⁴ = 435 Hz. Repair History: Closed G♯ may be an adaptation of an original open G♯.

Notes

E. Smith, 1987.

Measurements

805.

Provenance

Purchased with assistance from the Government's Local Museums Purchase Fund and the University's General Council Trust, 1983.

Collection

MIMEd ; Glen Collection

Accession Number

0059

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