This boxwood fife is very old indeed. It was made around 1780–90 by one of London’s famous instrument-making families – the Cahusacs.

It has certainly stood the test of time marvellously –the boxwood looks wonderful, the tone-holes perfect and the embouchure intact. It has a new head cork. It even has an ink mark, which has not been removed by its previous owner since it’s clearly just a bit of its long, active history. If only it could talk…

This fife bears the makers stamp – and we think it was made by Thomas CAHUSAC Senior (1714-1798). He started a family business which would continue with his two sons after his death in 1798. It is difficult to see the stamp as it is partially bleached out – it could include a fleur-de-lys just like the one in the Met Museum in New York.

It’s a C fife, meaning that the lowest note is C. It plays at a=440 Hz.

This lovely piece of history can be stored in a leather case where is fits very nicely and can be kept safely for another 230+ years.