Clarinet in C

Astor & Co.

ca. 1800–1814 · Boxwood, ivory, brass · Musical Instruments

The Astor workshop was established in London by the two brothers Georg (George) Peter Astor (born Waldorf/Heidelberg, Germany, 28 April 1752; Died London December 1813) and Johann (John) Jacob Astor (born Waldorf 17 July 1763; died New York 28/29 March 1848) around 1780. In 1783 John Jacob left for Baltimore. The workshop was at the address 79 Cornhill between 1797/8 and 1814. (Waterhouse, NLI, 12). Overall size: 590 Bore: c-hole 13.4; f-hole 13.6. Conical part: 106 Technical description: Boxwood with ivory ferrules and brass keywork. Six pieces: mouthpiece, barrel, upper section, middle section for the fingers of the right hand, lower section with keys, bell. Long tenon ebony mouthpiece grooved for cord. English-style flask shaped barrel. Speaker liner projects almost to the centre of the bore. Pins at the blocks in order to avoid cracking. Levers for L4, tone-hole and key for R4 mounted in a bell-shaped swelling. Zig-zag F♯3/C♯5 lever guided in a rudiment of a round ring. L0: T; speaker. L1: T; throat A♮. L2: T. L3: T. L4: E3/B♮4; F♯3/C♯5. R1: T; trill key for throat A-B♮. R2: T. R3: T. R4: T; G♯3/E♭5. Keyhead type: flat square. Keymount type: blocks and swelling. Inscribed on upper section crown / "C / ASTOR & Co. / 79 / CORNHILL / LONDON" / unicorn head; on bell unicorn head / ASTOR & Co. / 79 / CORNHILL / LONDON"; on middle and lower section "ASTOR & Co. / LONDON" / unicorn head; on barrel "ASTOR & Co. / LONDON". Playing accessories: a boxwood reed-cap (Heike Fricke, 2014)

Artist

Astor & Co.

Date

ca. 1800–1814

Medium

Boxwood, ivory, brass

Culture

British

Department

Musical Instruments

Credit line

Gift of William J. Maynard, 1997