Rudall boxwood flute

This fascinating flute was made before 1823, and updated later in the mid-C19th we believe to reflect the development of flute design during that period. The flute plays willingly and evenly all the way to the bottom, and sits comfortably at modern pitch A=440 with tuning slide open around 10mm. We have prepared and padded it. It comes in a lovely new bespoke case handmade by Chris Raven.

George Rudall, famous now for establishing Rudall Rose, which later became Rudall Carte, began his trading career selling flutes made for him by John Willis. Willis, who died in March 1823, placed his name on the footjoints. These were high quality flutes.

At some point the original toneholes of this example were upgraded with the fitting of new wooden inserts to allowed for flat pads. This is not unknown, but what is most unusual is that the RH3 tonehole was filled and a new hole cut in the correct position lower down to be operated by a Siccama-style key. This work was very well done. The new key lies along the body, hiding the filled original hole, and makes all the difference to the flute's playability.

The flute is original to that specification apart from the barrel and crown. The barrel is a later replacement which we have turned down to a shape in keeping with the flute. The crown is new and matched with a mid-19th London cocuswood cork assembly with silver cap taken from our spares cupboard. The flute may originally have had an ivory assembly but we felt one of these would make life difficult with today's ivory ban.

The headjoint is fully lined, and the embouchure is original and untouched. Old repairs to three of the blocks have been redone. There is a repaired small hairline in the LH section which is protected by the ferrule, and a repaired crack in the headjoint away from the embouchure hole that does not affect playing. The keys are excellent and the keycups' flat bottoms have allowed us to pad the flute with soft yellow oboe pads. These do a great job and seal immediately.

The LH main section is otherwise excellent. There are no cracks in the RH main section or in the footjoint, and both are excellent.

We are pleased to offer this unique flute in good playing order. It deserves to be taken out and played in earnest again, as it must have been when a previous owner, perhaps 150 years ago, loved it enough to make a heavy investment in its improvement. We asked Chris Raven to make a case for it, and he has produced a beauty with inlaid lid, hidden hinges, and a pair of his own elegant catches.