Clarinet in E
Catalogue number: 4.2
Original name: Clarinet in E.
Clarinet in E: Six keys.
Maker: Fentum.
Place of origin: London, c.1801 – 1836.
Overall size: 394mm; bell diameter: 71.2mm.
Bore: 6.4mm (upper joint to bottom of lower joint).
Technical description: Four sections of boxwood and mouthpiece of dark wood.
Mouthpiece: c.80mm (broken tip); barrel: 45.5mm; upper joint: 160mm; lower joint: 188mm; bell: 89mm.
Ivory ferrules and bell rim; five brass keys with square flaps (flap design A ) mounted on four raised blocks and one raised ring. Springs attached by rivets to key.
Key work and finger holes |
Finger hole diameter (av.) |
Left hand thumb: |
T; Speaker / B flat |
Left hand, first finger: |
T; A natural |
Left hand, second finger: |
T. |
Left hand, third finger: |
T. |
Left hand, fourth finger: |
Low F sharp / C sharp; Low E / B natural |
Right hand, first finger: |
T; A - B natural trill key |
Right hand, second finger: |
T. |
Right hand, third finger: |
T. |
Right hand, fourth finger: |
T; A flat / E flat |
Inscription: Stamped on mouthpiece: “[motif: lyre monogram] / 25 E 74 / FENTUM / 78 • STRAND / LONDON”; stamped on barrel: “[motif: lyre monogram] / FENTUM / 78 • STRAND / LONDON”; stamped on upper joint: “[motif] / E / [lyre monogram] / FENTUM / 78 • STRAND / LONDON / 2574”; stamped at the top of the lower joint, under ferrule: “2574”; and at the bottom of lower joint: “[motif: lyre monogram] / FENTUM / 78 • STRAND / LONDON / 2574”; stamped on barrel: “[motif] / E / [motif: lyre monogram] / FENTUM / 78 • STRAND / LONDON / 2574”.
Faults: Mouthpiece tip broken.
Usable pitch: Plays at a’ = 425 Hz.
Illustration references: See below
Previous owner: William Bentley.
Previous collection numbers: A and B: Item 32d.
Collection assignation: Shareshill Church Collection.