Monzani auktion

[Pekkos]

I found this auction for a Monzani on the Swedish version of ebay, it went for $390. It's not very often wooden flutes show up in auctions in sweden, but this price seemed a bit high to me considering the condition with two keys missing/broken and the cracks.

Any thoughts?

http://www.tradera.com/Antik_tvarflojt_ ... n-49486187

/Anders

[jemtheflute]

Thanks for posting this! The flute is certainly in need of some serious restoration, and it looks to have been modified in the past with the addition on pillars of a high E trill key, but it is a fine old flute with its two heads and original box. Monzanis aren't much sought after for Irish music, but they are quite collectible and good playable ones are relevant to period performance for music from the early C19th. I'd say $390 (c £195) was pretty cheap. Someone got a bargain if they knew what they were doing. If they wanted it for Irish music, they probably did the wrong thing.

[Jon C.]

I found this auction for a Monzani on the Swedish version of ebay, it went for $390. It's not very often wooden flutes show up in auctions in sweden, but this price seemed a bit high to me considering the condition with two keys missing/broken and the cracks.

Any thoughts?

http://www.tradera.com/Antik_tvarflojt_ ... n-49486187

/Anders

Hi,
The flute would have probably went for $1,500-$2k on the American eBay, a very rare flute. The slide is threaded into the unlined wooden head, you can see how it still cracked...

[cocusflute]

Actually, if you follow the money trail it sold for closer to $500. Still a great deal - and it's a gorgeous case. I'd have paid that for it, even though it's far from playable and it needs a world of work.
But unless you're a mad monk who eats these for breakfast it's probably wiser to walk away.

[Jon C.]

Actually, if you follow the money trail it sold for closer to $500. Still a great deal - and it's a gorgeous case. I'd have paid that for it, even though it's far from playable and it needs a world of work.
But unless you're a mad monk who eats these for breakfast it's probably wiser to walk away.

I would have it playing by brunch!

[Pekkos]

Thanks for your replies!

I have been thinking of trying do some repair work from time to time, but this one seemed a bit to nice to practice on so far I have only replaced head corks and glued a crack coming from a partial lining in my Chinese dizi. But I guess I could have sent it to you Jon for a restoration... Have you done Monzani-style keywork yet?

/Anders

[eilam]

the fluted heads are so beautiful, i've seen it on many Monzanies, i know it's to take some weight of the head, but even just for the visual factor, i'd love it.

[Jon C.]

Thanks for your replies!

I have been thinking of trying do some repair work from time to time, but this one seemed a bit to nice to practice on so far I have only replaced head corks and glued a crack coming from a partial lining in my Chinese dizi. But I guess I could have sent it to you Jon for a restoration... Have you done Monzani-style keywork yet?

/Anders

Hi,
I have made some wax copies of the Monzani key work, but haven't cast any yet. Repairing the head cracks properly can be tricky. The slide is actually threaded into the wood, so that has to be removed, and the wood reamed, and sleeve glued back in. I have seen a couple of other antiques with this set up.