This eight-keyed flute, crafted in boxwood with silver keys features patented pewter plugs and a metal-lined head joint with tuning slide. The rings and screw cork are made of ivory. It has the markings 4, 5, 6 on the barrel and there are also markings on the ivory stopper indicator.

It was made around 1810-1815 by William Henry POTTER (1760-1848) – one of the famous London-based woodwind instrument makers. William Henry Potter was the second son of Richard Potter (1726-1806), who patented the pewter plugs in 1785. William Henry Potter was apprenticed to his father and continued with his father’s business on his death.

The flute is stamped with WOODWARD, which we can assume refers to the dealer Michael WOODWARD who worked in Birmingham from around 1780-1817. So, the instrument was made for him during this time by the Potter workshop.

With the tuning slide set to 5, the flute could play at a=440 Hz. This remarkable instrument, crafted two hundred years ago, was made by one of the most prominent flute makers in history.