William Henry Potter 6-Keyed Flute
William Henry Potter 6-Keyed Flute
- Description (Brief)
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This flute was made by William Henry Potter in London, England around 1809 to 1814. It is a 6-keyed flute, made of boxwood with ivory ferrules, an ivory crown cap, and silver keys. This flute is stamped:
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6 [/] POTTER [/] JOHNSON'S COURT [/] FLEET STREET [/] LONDON [//] PATENT [/] WILLM HENY [/] POTTER
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William Henry Potter (1760-1848) was granted British Patent #3136 on May 28, 1808 for “Improvements in German flutes and other musical instruments.” The patent specification indicates:
- “These consist in giving a sliding motion to the valves by which the holes of German flutes and other wind musical instruments, usually stopped by keys with valves, are stopped and opened. The valve is kept close by a spring across the instrument to a flat metal plate let into the flute, and having a hole through it to admit the wind. The spring is shown attached to various parts of the keys of a German flute, but the same or a similar description is stated as applicable to all other wind musical instruments.”
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 1808-1810
- date made
- 1809-1814
- maker
- Potter, William Henry
- Potter, William Henry
- place made
- United Kingdom: England, London
- Physical Description
- boxwood (overall material)
- silver (overall material)
- ivory (overall material)
- Measurements
- overall: 26 3/8 in x 1 1/2 in; 66.9925 cm x 3.81 cm
- overall: 26 1/2 in x 1 1/2 in x 1 1/2 in; 67.31 cm x 3.81 cm x 3.81 cm
- ID Number
- 1985.0016.31
- accession number
- 1985.0016
- catalog number
- 1985.0016.31
- patent number
- 3,136
- Credit Line
- Gift of James M. Swain
- See more items in
- Cultural and Community Life: Musical Instruments
- Music & Musical Instruments
- Flutes
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
