Oboe. Nominal pitch: C.
1
Photo by Raymond Parks © The University of Edinburgh
InstrumentOboe |
Instrument FamilyWind |
MakerKusder |
Place MadeLondon; Europe; United Kingdom; England |
Date MadeLate 18th century, remodelled 1889 |
DescriptionTechnical description: Boxwood with silver or silver-plated keys, bell rim, socket and reed-well linings, reed-well surround. The R1 Dtr has a touchpiece in german silver. Simple octave keys. Depressing the low C key lowers the R2 and 3 rings and closes the brille. The instrument has no onion shaped baluster but is shaped as a modern instrument. The keys are similar in appearance to those on a modern instrument. The smaller (right-hand) of the two holes on L3 has been metal lined. The bell has been permanently fixed to the lower section. System: Thumbplate system L0: TP: 8. L1: PP. L2: R. L3: TT. L4: G♯: low B; E♭-dup. R0: sup. R1: T; TP-dup; Dtr. R2: R. R3: R; F. R4: low C; C♯; E♭. Keymount type: pillars. Keyhead type: cup. Two silver plates screwed on lower section, the first between C vent and E♭ key, bearing motif of set-square and compasses / "THIS OBOE BELONGED TO / JOHN SAVORY EAGLES / BRIGHTWALTHAM. BERKS. / MODERNIZED 1889 BY / S. QUILTER. LONDON" / monogram interlocking JWE. The second plate below E♭ vent inscribed "KUSDER / JOHN WEAVER EAGLES / OBOE". Decorative features: A silver plate with a floral pattern is nailed to the bell. A black line possibly in ink has been drawn round the baluster at the top of the instrument it is broken in several places. A small silver ivy leaf is at the top of the low B axle where the touchpieces would attach. Repair History: Probably originally a two-keyed instrument. Most of the mechanism would appear to have been added in 1889 in the `modernization' process. The attempt to make the reed well cylindrical has not been very successful and the well is still slightly conical with the stop at an uneven depth. There is a filled vent hole in the bell and a filled narrow oblong underneath the E♭ key where the original low C mechanism may have been sited. The two marks above the R0 support indicate that the thumbrest has been moved. The different metal of the R1 Dtr touch indicates this key has been altered or perhaps repaired, it is sited in a very unusual position. The touchpiece of the G♯ key has broken off and is lost, the low B/E♭-dup butterfly touchpiece is also missing, in both cases the remainder of the mechanism is intact. There are extensive marks at the bottom of the middle section which may be the remains of glue where ornamentation was attached. There are similar though less extnsive marks above the bell rim and a broken line of such marks runs up the back of the bell. Marks below the R0 support probably indivate where extra wook was gued to make the intrument more comfortable to hold. |
NotesS. Milton, 2.1.07. |
Measurements549. |
Provenanceex- Faculty of Music, University of Cambridge.; Gift of Sir Nicholas Shackleton, 2005. |
CollectionMIMEd; Sir Nicholas Shackleton Collection |
Accession Number4586 |