Muzio Clementi & Co. 8-Keyed Flute: Museum Object and Cultural History

The object in the museum catalogue

This flute was made by Muzio Clementi & Co. in London, England around 1802 to 1821. It is an 8-keyed flute made of rosewood with silver ferrules and keys. The flute is stamped:

The “Nicholson’s Improved” flute refers to British composer and flute player, Charles Nicholson (1795-1837) and his influence on flute design. Nicholson enlarged the embouchure hole and the tone-holes of his flutes, resulting in a stronger overall sound. He licensed a number of London flute makers, including Clementi & Co., to produce his “Nicholson’s Improved” flutes.

This flute was previously owned by American portrait painter, Thomas Sully. It was played by Sully as a member of a quartet comprised of Benjamin Carr, Benjamin Cross, Charles Hupfeld, and Thomas Sully. Sully, Carr, and Cross with English organist Raynor Taylor and American composer George Schetky, founded the Musical Fund Socity, one of the oldest musical societies in the United States in 1820.

Materials, dates and provenance

• Date made: 1802 - 1821
• user: Sully, Thomas
• maker: Muzio Clementi & Co.
• Object Name: flute
• Physical Description: rosewood (overall material)
• Physical Description: silver (overall material)
• Measurements: overall: 26 1/2 in x 1 1/2 in; 67.31 cm x 3.81 cm
• place made: United Kingdom: England, London
• ID Number: MI.015991
• catalog number: 15991
• accession number: 99933
• Data Source: National Museum of American History

Sources and reuse

Catalogue descriptions and facts adapted from National Museum of American History through the Smithsonian's official Open Access dataset. This record explicitly marks its metadata CC0 1.0; formatting and selection have been changed.