Description

Conical ring-key flute – GODFROY AINÉ, Clair

This conical ring-key flute was made by the legendary Clair GODFROY Ainé (1774-1841) workshop in Paris. We can date it to 27 December 1880. This date along with Clair GODFROY AINÉ S.G.D.G, RUE MONTMARTRE 55. A PARIS is stamped on its original case.

There were five generations of the Godfroy family. Clair Godfroy Ainé or Clair Godfroy II was trained by his father – Clair GODFROY I (1750-1813) of course.  Although he made all woodwinds, he is known for his expertise in flutes. Born in La Couture-Boussey, he moved to Paris around 1800 and was a music instrument maker and seller, but didn’t set up his own workshop there until 1814. On a personal level, he was married twice and his first daughter from his second marriage, called Caroline Joséphine, would go on to marry one of his workers – a certain Louis LOT (1807-1896). He retired from the business in 1836 and the company was then run as a partnership by his son Vincent Hypolite GODFROY (1806-1868) and his son-in-law Louis LOT. The two went their separate ways in 1854. Vincent Hypolite continued on his own and when he died, his widow carried on the company until her death in 1888.

We can immediately see that this flute of course features the 1832 Boehm ring-key system. It has a C-foot and a screwcork and closed or “shut” G-sharp (sol dièse fermée). The wood is gorgeous chocolate-brown cocuswood with nickel silver keywork. The embouchure measures 10.4 x 12.3 mm.

In terms of condition, we can see that the middle joint was slightly shortened by 2 mm. The inner tube in the head joint tenon socket is missing. There is some damage to the tone-holes on the foot joint. As often is the case, there are some hairline cracks at the foot joint and the head joint in the usual places. But this Godfroy flute is generally in pretty good shape. It even has its original tenon protectors.  But it needs a full restoration and we can estimate that it will then play at around a=440 Hz.

Our opinion

Conical ring-key flutes by the Clair Godfroy Ainé workshop are a rarity and seldom seen. This instrument has enormous potential, but needs a professional restoration. Since we expect it will play at around a=440 Hz, it would be a wonderful instrument to use for chamber music with a lovely, warm wooden sound. Its new owner will be happy to play on an instrument which is almost 150 years old!