Detail View: The AMICA Library: Alto Recorder in F

AMICA ID: 
MMA_.89.4.909
AMICA Library Year: 
2000
Object Type: 
Decorative Arts and Utilitarian Objects
Creator Name: 
Gahn, I.B.
Creator Role: 
Maker
Creator Name-CRT: 
Made by I.B. Gahn
Title: 
Alto Recorder in F
Title Type: 
Object name
View: 
Full View
Creation Date: 
ca. 1700
Creation Start Date: 
1680
Creation End Date: 
1720
Materials and Techniques: 
Ivory
Classification Term: 
Aerophone/flue blown
Dimensions: 
L. 19 1/8 in. (48.6 cm)
AMICA Contributor: 
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Owner Location: 
New York, New York, USA
ID Number: 
89.4.909
Credit Line: 
The Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments, 1889
Rights: 
Context: 

Johann Benedikt Gahn was admitted as master in the Nürnberg wood turners guild in 1698. Specializing in musical instruments he maintained a workshop until his death in 1711. About sixteen recorders and a few oboes of ivory or boxwood have survived. Some of his recorders, like this one, feature a carved decoration with acanthus leaves and a mask, a motive, linked to Nürnberg, and appearing on other instruments by other makers. It occurs on peg boxes of viols and on recorders of the famous Nürberg woodwind maker, Johann Wilhelm Oberlender the Elder (1681-1763). The alto recorder, one of several members of the recorder family, became the favorite size after 1700 and many chamber pieces were written for it. It was also assigned solo tasks in orchestral works of the period.

Related Image Identifier Link: 
MMA_.mi89.4.909.R.tif