Transverse Flute

Garion

ca. 1720–40 · Rosewood, ivory, silver · Musical Instruments

This flute is a late example of the three joint design pioneered by the Hotteterre family during the seventeenth century. Making flutes with separate joints instead of in one piece allowed instrument makers to have greater control over the tapering of the internal bore profile, which improved intonation and response. Although this flute lacks the Baroque-style decorative balusters and beads of Hotteterre-type flutes, its basic layout and tonehole placement mirrors that of Hotteterre's instruments.

Artist

Garion

Date

ca. 1720–40

Medium

Rosewood, ivory, silver

Culture

French

Department

Musical Instruments

Credit line

Purchase, Robert Alonzo Lehman Bequest, 2005