This solid silver C-foot Clair Godfroy Ainé flute is breathtakingly beautiful. If we look at the photos, we can see that it features soldered tone-holes and elegantly sculpted open-hole keywork. The holes of the keys measure 7.4 mm in diameter. Godfroy’s distinctive large ring profiles are visible on both the barrel and the foot joint. The mechanism itself it held on two main ribs on the middle joint, which are masterfully rounded at the extremes. There is also an adjusting screw between C-sharp and C.

The side G-sharp lever is beautifully crafted around the front G-sharp key. In addition to the two trill keys, this flute has a lever for the right index finger to close the thumb key.

The crown is beautiful and traditionally made. It is very special with its large taper inside the crown. It showcases Godfroy’s amazing silverwork with its split-ring and delicate chasing.

The embouchure measures 10.5 x 12.35 mm.  Like many instruments of the time, this flute has undergone some changes made in order to get the flute to play at a higher pitch. The lip-plate was made later and is stamped with Strasser-Marigaux-Lemaire hallmarks.

The marks of the original ring enable us to discover that the head joint was shortened by around 5 mm.  The lower tenon on the middle joint was previously repaired.  The flute was at some point repadded but could do with some adjustment.

The case is original. It is stamped with Godfroy’s name and address and a date. We can only see perhaps 10 February, but the year has gone. The case was fitted with new locks which covered up and destroyed the date. The literature points us to 1880.

So how does this solid silver Godfroy flute sound?  With the head joint fully inserted we have a=442 Hz. Its tone is brighter and dare we even say… somewhat more progressive than one by the competitor, Louis Lot.

Seize the opportunity to own a splendid, GODFROY full-silver flute, a rare gem in the story of French flute-making.

show less