Clarinet in D

Astor & Co.

1820 or 1821 · Ebony, ivory, sterling silver · 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: 544 Bore: c-hole 12.9; f-hole 13.0 Conical part: 97 Technical description: Ebony with ivory ferrules and silver keywork. Five pieces: mouthpiece, barrel, upper section, lower section, bell. English-style long tenon ivory mouthpiece grooved for cord. English-style flask shaped barrel. Speaker liner projects almost to the centre of the bore. On upper joint some pins to prevent the wood from cracking. Throat A and speaker key mounted in rudiments of round turned wooden rings. Cross keys for E♭4/B♭5 and B♮3/F♯5 mounted in saddles. 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 wooden block. All flaps bevelled. L0: T; speaker. L1: T; throat A♮. L2: T. L3: T; E♭4/B♭5. L4: E3/B♮4; F♯3/C♯5. R1: T; trill key for throat A-B♮. R2: T; B♮3/F♯5. R3: T. R4: T; G♯3/E♭5. Keyhead type: square flat Keymount type: blocks, selling, saddles. Inscribed on all pieces except mouthpiece "ASTOR & CO / LONDON" / unicorn head, on bell "ASTOR & CO / 79 / CORNHILL / LONDON" / unicorn head. Keys bear the London silver-smith hallmark for the year 1820/ 21. Playing accessories: One reed and a cord (very inappropriate) (Heike Fricke, 2014)

Artist

Astor & Co.

Date

1820 or 1821

Medium

Ebony, ivory, sterling silver

Culture

British

Department

Musical Instruments

Credit line

Purchase, Robert Alonzo Lehman Bequest, 2003