Oboe, nominal pitch: C

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Instrument

Oboe

Instrument Family

Wind

Date Made

Circa 1710

Description

This three silver-keyed rosewood (?) instrument, with elaborate ivory inlay, was probably made in France. There is an onion-shaped baluster at the top of the instrument and a fish-tail touchpiece on the low C key. The overall size is 561 mm. Technical description: Possibly rosewood with silver keys. There is elaborate ivory inlay: four vertical bands (width c 10mm) run the whole length of the instrument broadening towards the bell; there are wide (width c 20mm) rings at the sockets and the reed well, also a bell ring (width c 10mm), there are also many narrow inlaid ivory rings. There is an onion shaped baluster at the top of the instrument. The low C key has a fish-tail touchpiece despite the lack of a third key. There are two vent-holes in the bell. There is an inward flange at the base of the bell. 2 keys Keyhead type: flat, round. Keymount type: raised rings: SATB. There is a crack in the ivory ring just below the onion on the upper section. The corking of the tenons is not original. The holes appear to have been enlarged with workmanship of a considerably lower standard than that of the original maker; this may have been intended to raise the pitch of the instrument. Usable pitch: A₄ = 425 Hz. Performance characteristics: Penetrating, bright tone quality with generally a very precise response although there are a few dull or sluggish notes. Intonation is awkward supporting the theory that an attempt has been made to raise the pitch of the instrument. Specific literature references: G.S. (1968) No. 81. Illustration references: Vol. 1 p.78; Bate 1956, Plate III No 1; G.S. (1968) Plate V(1); workshop drawing by Dick Earle published by the Collection, 1988. Previous ownership: Purchased by H.I. Brackenbury in London for £5/0/0. Current ownership: Government allocation to the University, 1991. Technical drawing available from the Friends of St Cecilia's Hall. Please see http://www.stceciliasfriends.org.uk/

Notes

James Eastaway, 1987; S. Milton, 1993.

Measurements

561.

Provenance

Purchased by H.I. Brackenbury in London for £5/0/0. ; Government allocation to the University, 1991.

Collection

C.H. Brackenbury Memorial Collection ; MIMEd ; Object Lessons

Accession Number

1033

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