This extremely rare instrument was made at the famous STENGEL workshop in Bayreuth, Germany by the woodwind master Johann Simon STENGEL (1803-1885)

A similar instrument can be found in the Sir Nicholas Shackleton (1937-2006) collection at Edinburgh University. This particular instrument could even be earlier than the one at Edinburgh University, as there are signs of experiments and changes. We can estimate it to around 1850.

Straight bass clarinets are seldom seen because their design was later modified to create smaller and more compact versions that include a metal bell. It is one of the first examples of a bass clarinet in a bass form.

This B-flat bass clarinet is constructed from rosewood or a variety of cocuswood, finished with a layer of varnish on the surface. It features a nickel silver crook, ferrules and keywork. There are some filled holes at the top of the left-hand joint which shows us that Stengel was experimenting with the instrument in order to get the best results for the owner and musician.