Sopranino Clarinet in E-flat
This clarinet features the Brille, or spectacle key (composed of two rings), patented by Adolphe Sax in 1840. It became the preferred clarinet key system in England during the second half of the nineteenth century and was referred to as the "simple system."
The Distins were leading manufacturers of wind instruments in London during the mid nineteenth century before Herny Distin sold the family firm to Boosey & Co. in 1868. As virtuoso brass players performing as the Distin Family Quintet and as instrument makers, the Distins played a vital role in introducing Adolphe Sax's instruments to Britain and the United States.
(Bradley Strauchen-Scherer)
Overall size: 479
Bore: c-hole 13.2; f-hole 13.2
Conical part: 105
Technical description: Boxwood with ivory ferrules and brass keywork. Five pieces: Mouthpiece, barrel, upper section, lower section, bell. Blackwood mouthpiece not grooved for cord, made by Köhler & Son, London. Continental style barrel. Speaker liner does not project into the bore, but has an ivory chimney on the front of the instrument. Zig-zag speaker mounted between pillars. Sax’s spectacle keys on lower joint. F♯3/C♯5 lever has a brass guidance. G♯3/E♭5; F3/C5 mounted on one axle. Shaped thumb rest.
L0: T; speaker.
L1: T; throat A♮; throat A♭.
L2: T.
L3: T; cross E♭4/B♭5.
L4: C♯4/G♯5; E3/B♮4; F♯3/C♯5.
R1: T; side F4/ C6; side trill key for throat A-B♮ and B♭-C.
R2: T + spectacle.
R3: T + spectacle (forked B♭3/F♮5); cross B♭3/F♮5.
R4: G♯3/E♭5; F3/C5.
Keyhead type: salt spoon.
Keymount type: pillars on plates.
Inscribed on mouthpiece "KÖHLER & SON / [upside down] COVENT GARDEN / [correct] LONDON", on barrel "E♭ / DISTIN / 31 CRANBOURN STREET / LONDON", on upper and lower joint "1 / DISTIN / 31 CRANBOURN STREET / LEICESTERSQUARE / LONDON" and on bell "1 / DISTIN / 31 CRANBOURN STREET / LONDON"(Heike Fricke, 2014)
The Distins were leading manufacturers of wind instruments in London during the mid nineteenth century before Herny Distin sold the family firm to Boosey & Co. in 1868. As virtuoso brass players performing as the Distin Family Quintet and as instrument makers, the Distins played a vital role in introducing Adolphe Sax's instruments to Britain and the United States.
(Bradley Strauchen-Scherer)
Overall size: 479
Bore: c-hole 13.2; f-hole 13.2
Conical part: 105
Technical description: Boxwood with ivory ferrules and brass keywork. Five pieces: Mouthpiece, barrel, upper section, lower section, bell. Blackwood mouthpiece not grooved for cord, made by Köhler & Son, London. Continental style barrel. Speaker liner does not project into the bore, but has an ivory chimney on the front of the instrument. Zig-zag speaker mounted between pillars. Sax’s spectacle keys on lower joint. F♯3/C♯5 lever has a brass guidance. G♯3/E♭5; F3/C5 mounted on one axle. Shaped thumb rest.
L0: T; speaker.
L1: T; throat A♮; throat A♭.
L2: T.
L3: T; cross E♭4/B♭5.
L4: C♯4/G♯5; E3/B♮4; F♯3/C♯5.
R1: T; side F4/ C6; side trill key for throat A-B♮ and B♭-C.
R2: T + spectacle.
R3: T + spectacle (forked B♭3/F♮5); cross B♭3/F♮5.
R4: G♯3/E♭5; F3/C5.
Keyhead type: salt spoon.
Keymount type: pillars on plates.
Inscribed on mouthpiece "KÖHLER & SON / [upside down] COVENT GARDEN / [correct] LONDON", on barrel "E♭ / DISTIN / 31 CRANBOURN STREET / LONDON", on upper and lower joint "1 / DISTIN / 31 CRANBOURN STREET / LEICESTERSQUARE / LONDON" and on bell "1 / DISTIN / 31 CRANBOURN STREET / LONDON"(Heike Fricke, 2014)
Artwork Details
- Title: Sopranino Clarinet in E-flat
- Maker: Henry Distin Mfg. Co.
- Culture: British
- Medium: Wood, ivory, string, brass
- Classification: Aerophone-Reed Vibrated-single reed cylindrical
- Credit Line: The Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments, 1889
- Object Number: 89.4.2558
- Curatorial Department: Musical Instruments
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Henry Distin Mfg. Co.
ca. 1897
German or Italian
early 17th century (?)
Tibetan
Greek
3rd or 4th century BCE (?)
Japanese
1st century BC
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.