Clarinet in F

ca. 1837–40
Not on view
Hermann Wrede, who was obviously of German origin, was listed as "Mus. Wind Inst. Mkr." from 1811 and from 1837 also as "Mus. Wind Inst & Pfte. & Importer". The firm had the address at 35 Lower White Cross between 1837 and 1840. (Waterhouse, NLI, 436)

Overall size: 449
Bore: c-hole 11.2; f-hole 11.6.
Conical part: 186

Technical description: Boxwood with ivory ferrules and brass keywork. Five pieces: mouthpiece, barrel, upper section, middle section for the fingers of the right hand and lower section with keys in one piece, bell. English style long-tenon ebony mouthpiece grooved for cord. Flask shaped English style barrel. Some pins to prevent the wood from cracking. Levers for L4, tone-hole and key for R4 mounted in a bell-shaped swelling. Guidance for zig-zag F♯3/C♯5 lever.

L0:   T; speaker.
L0:   T; speaker.
L1:   T; throat A♮.
L2:   T.
L3:   T.
L4:   E3/B♮4; F♯3/C♯5.
R1:   T; trill key for throat A-B♮.
R2:   T.
R3:   T.
R4:   T; G♯3/E♭5.

Keyhead type: flat square.
Keymount type: round turned wooden rings, blocks, swelling.
Inscribed on all pieces except for mouthpiece "H. WREDE / LONDON"; on bell with unicorn head "H. WREDE / 35 / Lr WHITE CROSS St / CRIPPLEGATE / LONDON"
(Heike Fricke, 2014)

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Clarinet in F
  • Maker: Hermann Wrede
  • Date: ca. 1837–40
  • Geography: London, England, United Kingdom
  • Culture: British
  • Medium: Boxwood, ivory, brass
  • Dimensions: L. 45.1 cm (17-3/4 in.)
  • Classification: Aerophone-Reed Vibrated-single reed cylindrical
  • Credit Line: Gift of William J. Maynard, 1997
  • Object Number: 1997.219.13
  • Curatorial Department: Musical Instruments

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