In 1857, George Cloos moved to New York City to live with his brother, Gotthard Cloos. Gotthard knew a flute maker named William Bauer, who became close friends with George. When Gotthard moved out of the city in 1870, George stayed and would live there for the rest of his lifetime. He started his own flute making company around 1862, and his two sons eventually became involved in the business.

The piccolo, meaning “small flute” in Italian, is the highest-pitched woodwind found in orchestras and military bands, first used in orchestras during the 18th century when it replaced the flageolet. This piccolo in particular was exhibited at  the New York Flute Club Exhibition in 1980.