This four-piece METZLER boxwood flute has a beautiful stain and yes… you’re right really distinctive and unusual brass rings. With its generous embouchure and fingerholes, it plays beautifully and delivers a wonderfully colourful sound.

We think it was made around 1800 by Valentine METZLER (c.1756-1832), not his son of course, as he had just been born. The literature confirms that Valentine founded his business in 1788 in London. His son, George Richard (1797-1867), joined the business in 1816 and the name changed to Metzler & Son.  Valentin died in 1832, so in 1833, the firm’s name changed to Metzler & Co.

Tuned to a=440 Hz, this flute was professionally restored a few years ago, with past cracks repaired and potentially original pads still intact. The top brass ring is broken and the cap was reconstructed from wax!