Description

Meissen ocarina No. 8 with tuning slide – Freyer & Co

This porcelain Meissen ocarina, number 8 in A was made in Meissen in Germany, probably around the turn of the 19^th century by Freyer & Co. It is made of white clay and features the famous Zwiebelmuster [Blue Onion] pattern, which is hand painted on the instrument. There’s a fabulous article in German about ocarina-making in the city of Meissen that is also downloadable here. We can see that it uses the same numbering system of Heinrich FIEHN (1846-1920) and other ocarina makers.

It has 10 holes, the marking 8 and a nickel-silver tuning slide. The tuning slide enables the player to adjust the pitch of the ocarina to match with other players or instruments. This ocarina has a special sort of double or two-stage tuning slide in that it can be pulled out in two movements supplying even more air to the chamber.

Its size makes this a rare find. It is an A-ocarina and the largest size with a tuning slide made by Freyer & Co. It is in very good condition.