Thomas Boekhout (Dutch, 1666–1715) Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Ebony and ivory L. 13 3/8 in. (346 mm) The Crosby Brown
Collection of Musical Instruments, 1889 (89.4.912) Thomas
Boekhout built recorders, flutes, oboes, and bassoons, and there
even survives a (very early!) clarinet from his workshop, but he
was perhaps best regarded in his day for his bass recorders. The
lowest pitch of this beautiful recorder is B', and it may be an
example of a soprano in B' flat, also known as a fourth flute
because it is pitched a fourth above the alto in F'. This is the
same size instrument that was used by Charles Dieupart (ca.
1667ca. 1740), a French composer who worked in London. This
instrument is stamped "T. BOEKHOUT" between a crown and lion
rampant.