French Flageolet
about 1840 (Made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Jean Daniel Holtzapffel made wind-instruments in Paris between about 1805 and 1850, including this French flageolet. As well as having a whistle-like mouthpiece, four finger-holes and two thumb-holes like the simpler version, this example also has an extra hole added at the bottom, covered by a silver key . The French Flageolet was also known as the 'Quadrille Flageolet', after a popular dance developed in France in the early 1800s.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Turned cocus wood joints with ivory mounts and silver key. |
| Brief description | Flageolet, made of Cocus wood with ivory mounts and one silver key, Jean Daniel Holtzapffel, French (Paris), about 1840. |
| Physical description | "Cocus wood in three joints, ivory mounted, including head joint of the long patterm, with ivory mouthpiece inserted. One round silver key mounted on saddle, for the little finger. Pitch D." Anthony Baines, Catalogue of Musical Instruments in the Victoria and Albert Museum - Part II: Non-keyboard instruments (London, 1998), p. 89. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | Holtzapffel / à Paris (Stamped and gilded on two of the three joints.)
|
| Gallery label | FRENCH FLAGEOLET
By Holtzapffel, Paris, about 1840
Stamped on two joints, Holtzapffel / à Paris
Three joints of cocus wood with ivory mounts and one silver key.
Non-Keyboard Catalogue No.: 21/2
The flageolet was very much associated with the popular 19th century dance, the Quadrille. Holtzapffel made experiments with various instruments, including a key-less flute, which was intended to enhance the vibrations.
W.71-1924(pre September 2000) |
| Credit line | Given to the Museum by Miss G.N. McGrath |
| Object history | This instrument was given to the Museum by Miss G.N. McGrath in 1924. |
| Summary | Jean Daniel Holtzapffel made wind-instruments in Paris between about 1805 and 1850, including this French flageolet. As well as having a whistle-like mouthpiece, four finger-holes and two thumb-holes like the simpler version, this example also has an extra hole added at the bottom, covered by a silver key . The French Flageolet was also known as the 'Quadrille Flageolet', after a popular dance developed in France in the early 1800s. |
| Bibliographic reference | Anthony Baines: Catalogue of Musical Instruments in the Victoria and Albert Museum - Part II: Non-keyboard instruments. (London, 1998). |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | W.71-1924 |
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| Record created | May 16, 2001 |
| Record URL |
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