Flute thumbnail 1
Flute thumbnail 2
On loan
  • On display at the Science Museum, London

Flute

about 1790 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Richard Potter (1728 - 1806) was the founder of an important London firm of flute-makers, which lasted from about 1745 until 1848. He signed himself 'Potter Senior'. During the 18th century, flutes were most often made of boxwood with ivory joints, and fitted with a silver key to cover the bottom hole. This instrument is also fitted with a sliding tuning barrel, which makes it easier to alter the pitch.

This flute is currently on loan to the Science Museum.

Object details

Category
Object type
Materials and techniques
turned and bored boxwood flute joints; turned ivory mounts; silver key
Brief description
Flute, boxwood with ivory mounts and a silver key, by Richard Potter, English, about 1790.
Physical description
"Boxwood, in five joints including a tuning barrel which slides in the head joint. Ivory mounts and one square silver key, the underside is stamped IH (probably John Hale, a key maker)." Anthony Baines, Catalogue of Musical Instruments in the Victoria and Albert Museum - Part II: Non-keyboard instruments (London, 1998), p. 92.
Dimensions
  • Length: 59cm
Dimensions taken from Anthony Baines, Catalogue of Musical Instruments in the Victoria and Albert Museum - Part II: Non-keyboard instruments (London, 1998), p. 92
Marks and inscriptions
  • Potter Senior (Stamped on the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th joint of the instrument.)
  • IH (This is stamped on the inside of the silver key. It may be the stamp of John Hale, a key maker.)
Gallery label
(pre September 2000)
FLUTE, English, by Richard Potter, stamped Potter Senior, about 1790. Five boxwood joints, incuding a tuning barrel, ivory mounts and a silver key.

Museum No.: 694 1883
Non Keyboard Catalogue No.: 22/2

Richard Potter (1728 1806) made wind instruments in London between about 1745 and about 1800. He patented an improved flute, with conical plug keys of pewter.
Credit line
Bequeathed to the Museum by N.S.Heineker, Esq.
Object history
This instrument was bequeathed to the Museum by N.S.Heineker, Esq.
Summary
Richard Potter (1728 - 1806) was the founder of an important London firm of flute-makers, which lasted from about 1745 until 1848. He signed himself 'Potter Senior'. During the 18th century, flutes were most often made of boxwood with ivory joints, and fitted with a silver key to cover the bottom hole. This instrument is also fitted with a sliding tuning barrel, which makes it easier to alter the pitch.

This flute is currently on loan to the Science Museum.
Bibliographic reference
Anthony Baines: Catalogue of Musical Instruments in the Victoria and Albert Museum - Part II: Non-keyboard instruments. (London, 1998), p. 92
Collection
Accession number
694-1883

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Record createdMay 16, 2001
Record URL
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