This conical ring-key flute by Charles Boromée MAHILLON (1813-1887) was totally restored and now sounds fantastic. You can hear it for yourself playing Jean REMUSAT (1815–1880) Le flûtiste romancier, Introduction from around 1859.

The flute is made of finely selected cocuswood with nickel silver keywork, rings and crown tip. All parts are stamped with C. MAHILLON / BRUXELLES and the head joint has an additional crest of the lion of Brabant.

After serving an apprenticeship in England and then working with his brother-in-law G.C. BACHMANN in Bachmann & Mahillon, Charles Boromée Mahillon set up his own business in Brussels in 1836, producing woodwinds and brass. He opened a store in London and became the most important wind instrument factory in Belgium by 1856. He partnered with his son Victor Charles MAHILLON (1841-1924). Victor Charles was known for being an inventor, acoustician, organologist, journalist and collector. The business was sold to J. A. Smits in 1932 and the firm Mahillon stopped making woodwinds in 1935.

This flute plays at a pitch of a=442 Hz with a wonderful luminous sound.