Flute, C
Maker
Richard Potter
Date1790-1800 ca.
Place MadeLondon, England, Europe
Serial No.none
SignedOn tuning slide barrel: POTTER / IOHNSON'S COURT / FLEET STREET / LONDONOn upper middle joint, lower middle joint, and foot: POTTER / LONDON
MarkingsOn ivory ring on head joint and on foot, above signature: PATENT
Arabic "5" and "6" stamped on incised, concentric guide marks of screw-cork pin
"4" and "5" stamped on concentric guide marks incised on tenon of slide.
"6" stamped on barrel of slide just above signature text (to indicate fully inserted position).
DescriptionBoxwood body in five sections, with graduated tuning slide in the head joint. Simple system keywork, with six silver keys mounted on turned blocks and turned ring. Key heads are pewter plugs that close over metal-bushed holes. Ivory ferrules and headcap, with graduated screw cork adjuster. This flute exhibits several features of Potter's landmark 1785 patent.
DimensionsOverall length: 667 mm
Embouchure: 9.8 mm x 8.8 mm
Sounding length: 591.4 mm
ProvenanceArne B. Larson Estate, Vermillion, South Dakota, 1988.
Published ReferencesKreitzer, Amy Shaw, "Transverse flutes by London Makers, 1750-1900." Masters Thesis, University of South Dakota, 1993, p. 52, 59, 67-69.
Credit LineArne B. Larson Estate, 1988
Object number04440
On View
Not on view1785-1825 ca.