Advanced Search

Tenor flute, A-flat

Tenor flute, A-flat

Alternate name:Alto flute, A-flat
Alternate name:Flûte d'amour, A-flat
Maker: Tebaldo Monzani & Co.
Date: 1816-1819 ca.
Place Made:London, England, Europe
Serial No: 1343
SignedOn head: [Crown] / MONZANI & CO / B
On upper body: [Crown] / MONZANI & CO / 24 DOVER ST / LONDON / 1343
On lower body and foot joints: [Crown] / MONZANI & CO
MarkingsOn upper and lower middle joints, referring to 1807 or 1812 patents: PATENT
Hallmarks on ferrules of upper and lower middle joints: [king's head] [lion passant] [date letter "a"] TM / HH

On key flaps: [Crown]
DescriptionCocuswood body in four sections. Simple system keywork with five silver keys mounted on turned ring and turned blocks. The key heads are flat and square. The pads consist of a flat piece of leather pierced by a screw attached to the key head, and secured by a disc-like button. The tenons on this instrument point downwards (in other words, the head joint carries a tenon rather than a socket). On either side of the embouchure is a raised cusp, called "nob" in Monzani's patent of 1812, the purpose of which was to help the player to position his lips properly for producing the lower notes. These larger flutes were primarily used in chamber music. Monzani published trios arranged for third flute in E-flat, concert flute, and tenor flute.
DimensionsOverall length: 762 mm (30 in)
Embouchure: 11.6 mm (0.457 in) x 11.0 mm (0.436 in)
ProvenanceArne B. Larson Collection, Vermillion, South Dakota, 1979.
Credit Line: Arne B. Larson Collection, 1979
Not on view
Published ReferencesKreitzer, Amy, "Serial Numbers and Hallmarks on Flutes from the Workshop of Monzani & Hill," Galpin Society Journal, Vol. 48 (1995):, p. 171.

Kreitzer, Amy Shaw, Transverse Flutes by London Makers, 1750-1900, M.M. Thesis (University of South Dakota, 1993), p. 135, 140, 148-151, 285 (serial no. 1343), 291
Object number: 03110