The Wylde left-hand joint features solid silver salt-spoon keys with their original pads! It has a tuning slide and the barrel has beautiful guilloché decorated silver rings.

The right-hand joint and foot joint were made by no other than Charles Joseph SAX (1791-1865). Charles Joseph Sax was born in Dinant, Belgium, on February 1, 1791, and died in Paris on April 26, 1865. He began his career as a cabinet maker, transitioned to a mechanic in a spinning machine factory, and then opened his own workshop in Brussels, specialising in wind instruments. He was of course the father of the inventor of the saxophone, Antoine-Joseph “Adolphe” SAX (1814-1894).

Charles Sax received the title of official producer of woodwind and brass instruments for King William I of the Netherlands and his royal court. We can see this on the stamp “FACT. DU ROI”. He used this particular stamp from 1818 until 1830, when Belgium gained independence from the Dutch.

Sax flutes are extremely rare and highly collectable. The five silver, salt-spoon keys have a beautiful shell-like design and what seem to be the original pads too! The silver rings are also exquisitely decorated. Both Wylde and Sax used lovely dark-brown cocuswood to produce each part. The windings seem original.

This combi flute is sold as is for restoration. There is a crack in the barrel and the head joint. One of the silver rings from the head joint is missing and there is a crack in the foot joint.

Someone seems to have played this flute in its present combined form. Could it be a wonderful chance to explore the traits and qualities of Belgian and English flutes from that era? Or perhaps you have the missing pieces tucked away in your collection? 😊

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