21-Key Bassoon
Details:
- Origin: Brussels, Belgium
- Date Made: 1875-1900
- Maker: Charles Mahillon
- Collection: E 223
Description:
The emblem and name of maker C. Mahillon appears on the bell and wing joints of the instrument. A six-point star surrounds the “M” in “Mahillon,” emblem also reads “Bruxelles.” A faint “Buffet-like” dotted oval on the butt. 628 on lower end of long joint. 21 flat-cup, German silver keys, pillar and axle mounted in the usual French system layout. The descending bore is not lined and there are rollers on the F and G# keys of the butt. A 2-plate brille on the butt for R-2 & -3 operates a vent for B natural. The bottom butt cap is hinged, and opens to a removal ring for the cork. There is a crook key with one touch and a slide lock between the wing and butt joints. Also a stop on the top of the butt to position the wing joint Material: rosewood with German silver ferrules and bell ring. French type crook of German silver. Tube length: 226.3 cm. Bore: Conical. Top of wing, 1.4 cm.; bottom of wing, 1.6 cm.; bottom of long joint, 2.5 cm.; top of long joint, 3.3 cm. Condition: fair. Bad crack repair in butt with post-stabilizing plate. Poor wing repair where ring keys have been removed. The butt joint is probably from another maker’s bassoon.
Charles Mahillon (1813-1887) founded his company in 1836. They opened a London store in 1844, and began supplying instruments to the army in 1856. In 1865, he was joined by his son Victor who later opened a musical instrument museum. After the death of Charles, the company was run by various apprentices and shifted storefront and workshop locations between London and Brussels, continuing woodwind production until 1935, then ultimately closing down altogether in 1999.
This instrument most closely resembles the French Buffet system bassoon. The German Heckel system is most popular today, although French style bassoons are still used in France, Canada, Belgium, certain parts of Latin America, and some other romantic countries.
Sources
- “What Is a French (Buffet) Bassoon?” B.O.S.S. Bassoon, July 26, 2020. https://www.bossbassoon.com/post/considering-a-french-buffet-style-bassoon.
