Oboe

Boxwood, in three joints, ivory mounted. The joints are carved in low relief with laurel leaves and berries, with acanthus motifs over the sockets. The bell, which has two vent holes and an internal terminal flange, is carved with two musical scenes: on one side, a man and a woman dancing to the violin; on the other, a group of four musicians playing oboes, tenor oboe and bassoon from part books. They wear late seventeenth-century costume. Two double holes, three silver keys, including a central closed key for C with round key-plate and fish-tailed touch, flanked by two closed E flat keys with square key-plates. Stamped 'W. BEUKERS' overstamped on a previous stamp with the name enclosed in a strap, partially erased and now barely legible but apparently ending in 'en'.