An elegant French Lyre guitar, the ribs and back of handsomely figured maple, branded twice in the inner back “THOUVENEL HENRY/TH (in circle)” made in France, probably Mirecourt c. 1825. Height 79.5cm. The roses of ebony and mother-ofpearl. The exceptionally well preserved instrument retains its original fitted wooden case. - A handsome French Pardessus de viole with alternating strips of walnut and maple ribs and back, labelled “Ludovious/ GUERSAN/prope Comoedium/ Gallican/Lutetioe/Anno/1761.” Length 60.0 cm. - “Venturina” an unusual small four string guitar, branded on the table and back “VENTURA” signed in ink. The back and ribs of rosewood, the table of pine, all profusely ornamented with mother-of-pearl. This guitar was designed by A.B.Ventura and made by T.Guyot, a similar example was exhibited in the London 1851 Exhibition
A very handsome French cittern, the back and ribs of maple, labelled “Henocq, Maitre Luthier/rue de Seine Fauxbourg faint/Germain, a Paris 1768.” Length 90.0cm. String sounding length 54.7cm. The table and fingerboard edged with ivory and ebony chevrons. Beautifully carved head, intricately carved rose of painted tortoiseshell. - Guitar with mahogany ribs and mahogany veneered back, branded in the inner back. “BEAU/A MIRECOURT” made c. 1825. Length 95.0cm. String sounding length 64.3cm. The table, fingerboard and pegs all inlaid with engraved mother-of-pearl. In almost mint original condition.
An unusual pottery serpent, decorated in the Delft style, made in the north of France in the 19th century. Height 65.0cm. In very good original condition. - An unusual pottery serpent, polychrome decoration in the style of Rouen, made by Porquier and Beau in Quimper, France, c. 1872, signed inside the mouthpiece. Length 78.0cm. In very good original condition.
- A very fine ivory recorder made by Dupuis in Paris c.1700. - Cocuswood oboe, signed “BREVETE/(barbican tower/ TRIEBERT/A PARIS” made c. 1850. - A rare silver mounted cut glass flute with four silver keys, unsigned but made in Belgium by Louis-Joseph-Constantine Savreux c. 30-1825 - Box wood flute with ivory bands, signed “WIGLEY 204 STRAND LONDON” made c. 1800. - Ebony flute with ivory headjoint, signed “(Hapsburg eagle) I. ZEIGLER WIEN” made c. 1835. - Cornet in brass with silver mounts and three stoelzel valves, signed “GAND/A LAVAL’ on the bell but made by Guichard (Gautrot) in Paris c. 1845.
- Harp-lute, unsigned but made in England c. 1820, after a model by Edward Light. Height 83.4cm. Rosewood back. The inlays and rose in mother-of-pearl. Silver mechanism and levers. - An attractive Italian pochette, made in the first half of the 18th century. Length 35.5co. The body, neck and head made from one piece of maple. Pochettes, or Dancing Master’s Kit, were used, as the name suggests by dancing masters whilst teaching their students. The instrument was of small enough dimension to fit into his coat pocket whilst demonstrating the steps to his pupils. - A fine French Quinton, labelled “A Verdun per Nicolas/ Desrousseau 1733”. Length 64.0cm. In good original condition, repaired cracks in ribs and table. The ribs and back of maple. Open pegs surmounted by a finely carved, elegant woman’s head. The Quinton is a five string hybrid instrument that combines characteristics of the violin and viol.
- A handsome Trompe de Chasse (model Trompe d’Orleans) in brass with attractive white metal bell garland, depicting hunting scenes, signed “J H PETTEX-MUFFATISUCCR DE FRANCOIS PERINET 27 RUE COPERNIC 27/A PARIS” made c. 1900. Bell diameter 26.8cm. Coil diameter 40.0cm in very good original condition. - Presentation copper key bugle in Bb with silver mount and eight silver keys, made in England c. 1840. “presented” by the STAFFORD HARMONIC SOCIETYII To Mr. W. Waltoni 1841.” Bell diameter 15.8cm. Brass crook and silver ruined mouthpiece. - Omnitonic Horn in brass with three Perinet valves and key change mechanism, signed in the bell “MADE BY I.C.G. CONNI ELKHARDTI IND” made c. 1905. Bell diameter 22.7cm. The extra lengths of tubing brought into play by the change mechanism enable the horn to be played in four different keys.