The oboe was developed c 1650, its conical tube being divided into three sections which enabled refinement in tuning and tone. The basic model with two keys was used well into the 19th century.
Previous ownership: Purchased by H.I. Brackenbury for £0/10/0 (with a double flageolet by Bainbridge, the two for £2/0/0).
(C.H. Brackenbury Memorial Collection).
Current ownership: Government allocation to the University, 1991.
EUCHMI Acquisition number: (927)
Technical description: Boxwood with brass keys. There are four ivory ferrules at the sockets, reed well and bell. There is an onion shaped baluster at the top of the instrument. R1 is a single hole. Despite there being no third key the C key has a fish tail touchpiece. There are two vent-holes in the bell. There is an inward flange at the base of the bell.
Inscriptions: The upper and middle sections stamped with 6 pointed sunburst / "H C TÖLCKE" / lion rampant / "2"; bell stamped with sunburst / "H C TÖLCKE / BRONSVIG" / lion rampant / "1".
Faults: There is a small chip from the turning below the onion on the upper section. The pad is missing from the C key.
Usable pitch: A4 = 420 Hz.
Performance characteristics: The instrument has a pleasantly dark tone quality with excellent intonation and response.
All material on this website is
copyright.
© Edinburgh University Collection of Historic Musical Instruments, 1999-2003, 2008.
This page updated: 29.10.08