Serpent, nominal pitch: 8-ft C

Baudouin

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Alternative Title

Serpent.

Instrument

Serpent/Serpents/Wind/Musical Instrument ; Serpent

Instrument Family

Wind

Maker

Baudouin

Place Made

Paris ; Europe ; France ; Western Europe

Date Made

Circa 1820

Description

Overall size: 843. Body external diameter at proximal end 41 43, at bell 112 113. Sounding length: overall length 2207; tone hole distances from bell 1219, 1179, 1134, 811, 766, 726. Air column length of body 1942; of both crooks 335; insertion depth of crook (3606a) up to 83, of crook (3606b) up to 21. Bore: minimum with crook (3606a), 11.7; at distal end of both crooks 20.3; 1104mm from bell end, 43.0; c 557mm from bell end, 60.8; at bell 103 106 Dia of mouthpiece receiver: m.r.t. of crook (3606a) 11.7 not tapered; of crook (3606b) 12.3 not tapered. Crook receiver diameter 23.2. Technical description: Wood, leather covered, painted black; brass crook receiver ferrule with silver band 5mm wide at distal end. 6 finger holes, no keys. Crooks brass with thread lapping: (3606a) original, (3606b) made for this instrument by Christopher Monk. The depth of insertion differs mainly because of the greater thickness of thread lapping present on (3606b). The bore at the mouthpiece end of both crooks is similar, and the bore at the distal end of both crooks is similar, but there is a significant difference in the bore profile: the external diameter midway of (3606a) is 21.0, of (3606b) 16.9. This would affect the alignment of the upper resonances of the air column. Stamped/incised inside bell on inside of curve, aligned parallel with bore "BAUDOUIN". With modern fibre case. Usable pitch: With crook (3606a) playable at A4 = 440 Hz; with crook (3606b) playable at c 20 cents above A4 = 440 Hz. Specific literature references: Christies auction catalogue 6th November 1991, lot 2; Campbell 1999. Illustration references: Bevan 2000, p.123. Specific recording references: Used by Christopher Monk in all London Serpent trio recordings. Specific usage history: Formerly used by Christopher Monk (1921 1991).

Other Information

Specific usage history: Formerly used by Christopher Monk (1921-1991).

Notes

R. Parks, 11.05.96; A. Myers, 11.05.96, bore 27.3.98.

Measurements

843. Body external diameter at proximal end 41 - 43, at bell 112 - 113.

Provenance

ex- Alan Lumsden collection; ex- C.W. Monk collection; ex- P.A.T. Bate collection, bought by Monk from Philip Bate July 1958 for £10/0/0;bought by Bate in Paris "some years ago" also for £10/0/0. ; on loan to the Collection.