Jan & John Maggs

Antiques and Art

Rosewood fife with bone and silver ferrules

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A lovely instrument, turned in three rosewood (?) segments, and fitted with ferrules at the joints. This is a “transverse” flute; the player holds the instrument to the right side like the modern orchestral instrument and blows across the single hole in the first section. Unlike the modern flute, this fife is limited to the diatonic (7-note, do-re-mi) scale. The remaining six holes are covered by the second, third, and fourth fingers of each hand, while the right pinky depresses the metal key to open the seventh hole.

The first segment has partially split and is now wrapped tightly by thin copper wire. While this repair has prevented further damage, the instrument is unplayable, though quite lovely to look at.

American or English, 18th century

Length: 20”

Price: $165

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