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Solid silver flute – LEBRET, L.L.

Solid silver flute – Bonneville
Ivory flute – CAHUSAC Junior

5.500,00 €

Category Flutes
Maker LEBRET, Louis Léon Joseph
Marks and inscriptions Head joint & lip-plate:
LEBRET / PARIS
Barrel:
L.L / LEBRET / PARIS / 1831A / Feur DES CONSERVATOIRES
Period 1830-1900
Place of origin Paris, France
Description Solid silver Boehm flute by L.L. LEBRET
Materials Solid silver
Dimensions Total length 674 mm
Sounding length 600 mm
Weight 395 g
Weight with case 690 g
Condition Working condition
Accessories Original case
Special features Engraved lip-plate
Price (€) €5,500.00
Ref 1227

Description

Solid silver flute – LEBRET, L.L.

This unique all-silver flute was created at the beginning of the 1900s by the revered French flute-maker Louis Léon Joseph LEBRET (1862-1942).

The son of a music teacher, Lebret worked for ten years at the Louis LOT (1807-96) workshop, where he learned the craft of flute-making. At that time in France, conscription into the army was by lot. The “good numbers” served from 6 months to one year, while the “bad numbers” served five years. Lebret was unlucky enough to end up with five years of compulsory military service from 1882. But maybe he was lucky in love. After rubbing shoulders with some of the finest flute-makers of the time, it is no wonder that Auguste Adrien BONNEVILLE (1819-1895) was a witness at his wedding to Louise Pauline POTTIER in 1886. His military service ended in 1887 and in 1888, he opened his own workshop in Paris. The address – 4 avenue Parmentier. He was initially listed as a specialist maker of cylindrical flutes, oboes and clarinets, including conservatory models.

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That same year, he was a witness at his sister-in-law’s wedding to no other than Louis Ernest DEBONNEETBEAU de COUTELIER (1836-1891). Lebret became a major supplier to French conservatoires and the military. The ownership of the business was transferred to a certain René Celles in 1928 and then Robert Malerne in 1932, when Lebret retired.

This charming instrument is an early example of Lebret’s finest flutes. It has a seamless drawn tube construction and features pointed arms and beautifully sculptured pointed cups. The cups are delicately shallow with a distinctive finesse.  The flute has a pinless C-foot mechanism. Lebret later modified his instruments to reflect an Art Deco aesthetic, eliminating the pointed arms in the process. The embouchure measures 10.4 mm x 12.3 mm. The distinctive lip-plate displays an engraving of the maker’s name.  Both the lip plate and the mechanism are consistently hallmarked. The flute is astonishingly light, with a weight of only 395 grams.

The condition of this flute is outstanding. Its previous owner had it refurbished with new pads. It can be played at a pitch of a=443 Hz and offers a wonderfully vibrant tone that is bright, free and brilliant.

This rare all-silver Lebret flute is rich in French elegance and sophistication. It would be a splendid enhancement to any flutist’s instrument arsenal and a crowning jewel in any flute collection.

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