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{The Brussels Musical Instruments Museum Oboe Collection}
Stefaan Verdegem - Koninklijk Conservatorium Brussel
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IND ?> Inv. number
0179
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CN/NP ?> Common name / Nominal Pitch
Tenor oboe (Taille de hautbois) in F
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TS ?> Type or system
2 keys
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MK ?> Maker
Anonymous
- DM ?> Date of making Instrument difficult to date (see Remarks for this).
- MATERIALS Boxwood for TJ and MJ; bell most probably maple. Reed-well metal lined in nickel silver. Brass keys.
- MEASUREMENTS
- Body Length 748.6mm
- TJ length (body + tenon) 296.8mm + 27.1mm
- MJ length (body +tenon) 301.6mm + 22.4mm
- B length 150.2mm
- Acoustic Length 438.6mm
- BORE
- Minimal bore 5.2mm
- Reed well diameter 7.3mm
- Reed or crook well depth (if cylindrical) 17.3mm
- Bore at end of TJ 11.7mm
- Bore at top of MJ 12.7mm
- Bore at end of MJ 18.7mm
- Bore at top of B 18.7mm
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TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION
2 Brass keys with square flat flaps, type Young-A.
Raised key rings are not circular.
SATK (springs attached to the key).
3rd hole doubled with finger cove.
Bulb bell with inner rim, no vent-holes.
Reed well metal lined.
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FL ?> Faults
Poor condition – cracks in all parts.
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PA ?> Playing Accessories
None. According to Mahillon (R1978) Vol.I p.236 a modern bocal and reed were added.
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UP ?> Usable Pitch
The best combination was a reed TL 49mm / staple 27mm / tip width 9.5mm, and a bocal TL 88mm ø 5mm + 3.1mm giving A = c.440Hz.
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PC ?> Performance Characteristics
No good intonation could be found (see TD concerning the reed well).
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PO ?> Previous Ownership
Ex-Fétis
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SR ?> Specific literature Reference
Mahillon (R1978) Vol.I p.236.
De Keyser (2006) pp.20–1 on provenance of this instrument.
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IR ?> Illustration reference
Mahillon (R1978) Vol.I p.236 (drawing)
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Remarks
Outward design and key design point possibly towards 2nd half of 18th century.
‘French’ according to the MIM file.
This instrument was part of the Fétis Collection, sold to the MIM in 1873.
A number of elements, however, make it assumable that this instrument has been adapted in the 19th century, or is a 19th century copy after an 18th century example:
- The reed well is metal lined The minimal bore is relatively narrow, staying narrow after the reed well. Consequently this reed well allows only narrow-bottomed crooks, type E. horn. The metal reed well is probably to enable the insertion of a corked crook. According to Mahillon (R1978) Vol.I p.236 "a modern bocal and reed had been added to use it instead of a cor anglais".
- Springs attached to the keys.
- Varnish does not look 18th century.
- Tone-holes are relatively small.
{Anonymous}
