InstrumentTransverse flute |
Instrument FamilyWind |
MakerNicholson |
Place MadeLondon; England; Europe; United Kingdom |
Date MadeEarly 19th Century |
DescriptionTechnical description: Stained boxwood; 4 sections; [brass key]; no additional ferrules; oval embouchure-hole.
Keymount type: ring.
Keyhead type: [flat square].
Repair History: Tape wrapped round lower body socket and crack filled; key-hole blocked with tape.
Overall size: 591 (without cap)
Sounding length: embouchure to foot: 522
Bore: conical
Stamped "NICHOLSON / LONDON".
Performance characteristics: Range D⁴ - A⁶. Clear sound but uneven intonation.
Usable pitch: A⁴ c 458 Hz.
Nicholson was possibly a dealer rather than a maker, and is unlikely to have been either of the Charles Nicholsons, the younger of whom had his father's improvements to the instrument put into practice by T. Prowse and initially sold by Clementi & Co. ('Nicholson's Improved'), cf. 8-keyed flutes (34), (35) and (5417) (Waterhouse 1993, p.281). |
NotesE. Smith, 1986. |
Measurements591 (without cap). |
ProvenanceGift of J. Blades, 1969. |
CollectionBlades Collection; MIMEd; MIMEd |
Accession Number0511 |