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Alto clarinet in F
Thomas Key (active 1800–1853)
about 1830–35
Object Place: London, England
Medium/Technique
Boxwood, ivory, brass
Dimensions
Length 87 cm (34 1/4 in.)
Credit Line
Leslie Lindsey Mason Collection
Accession Number17.1878
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsMusical Instruments
ClassificationsMusical instruments – Aerophones
DescriptionIn F. Boxwood, varnished dark brown. Ivory rings and mouthpiece. Made in six parts: mouthpiece, curved brass crook, upper, middle, and lower bodyjoints, and bell. Six fingerholes and one thumb hole. Ten original square keys (Young type A) of brass (e, f, f-sharp, g-sharp, b, c-sharp', e- flat', a', a-shake', and speaker), mounted on blocks with SATK. Three later keys (b-flat', f', and g-sharp'), mounted on brass saddles with SATK.
InscriptionsStamped on upper and lower bodyjoints: KEY / LONDON / [unicorn head]; stamped on bell: KEY / LONDON / [unicorn head] / CHARING CROSS
ProvenanceFrancis W. Galpin (1858-1945), Hatfield Regis, England; 1916, sold by Francis W. Galpin to William Lindsey (1858-1922), Boston, Massachusetts; 1916, gift of William Lindsey, in memory of his daughter, Leslie Lindsey Mason, to the MFA. (Accession Date: October 5, 1916)