Joani Farcuneri Boxwood & Ivory 6-Key, D

Note: Due to the ivory rings, this flute is available to US customers only.

This is a remarkable example of a rare 19th-century flute by Joani Farcuneri, a Sicilian maker whose work is seldom encountered. The craftsmanship evident throughout this instrument speaks to a master flute maker who understood both the technical and aesthetic demands of the craft. The maker's mark is thoughtfully stamped, a detail that underscores the care and intention invested in its creation.

The flute is built in lovely-grade boxwood and features a six-key design with square flap keys, a design characteristic that suggests either heavy influence from or direct engagement with earlier 19th-century conventions. The keywork is notably well-executed, with attention paid to detail and function.

Structurally, the flute is in fine condition. The headjoint has survived the intervening years without cracks, a significant achievement for an instrument of this age. Minor cracks present in the decorative tuning sleeve and a very slight hairline crack on the right-hand section have been sealed. The flute plays very nicely at A440 with the tuning slide extended just a few millimeters, indicating it was likely originally intended for a lower pitch standard.

This is the sort of instrument that rewards both the collector and the serious player: a fully chromatic, historically voiced flute from a maker whose work represents an important but understudied chapter in European flute making.

Sounding Length: 596mm