19th C. French Wood Convertible Flute / Fencing Rapier

Lot 130

About Seller

686 S Taylor Ave, Ste 106
Louisville, CO 80027
United States

Selling antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art online since 1993, Artemis Gallery specializes in Classical Antiquities (Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Near Eastern), Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal / Oceanographic art. Our extensive inventory includes pottery, stone, metal, wood, glass and textil...Read more

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Ancient & Ethnographic Art Through The Ages by Artemis Gallery

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Ancient & Ethnographic Art Through The Ages

By Artemis Gallery

Feb 10, 2022

Set Reminder 2022-02-10 10:00:00 2022-02-10 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Ancient & Ethnographic Art Through The Ages https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/ancient-ethnographic-art-through-the-ages-8873 Join us for Part Two of a spotlight on two fabulous collections, one from Lumberton, Texas, and the other from Whisnant Gallery in New Orleans. Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com

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Lot Description

Western Europe, France, Paris, ca. early to mid-20th century CE. This is a fine antique wood and nickel-silver low pitch flute that is made by the French maker Martin Freres that has been converted into a fencing foil sheath! The segments are each stamped with the maker emblem and the "JEAN MARTIN / PARIS" within an oval in tribute to founder Jean Baptiste Martin, and the nickel-silver keys and mouthpiece are intact, but at some point someone realized that this hollow, tubular instrument was the perfect case for a fencing blade and added a threaded fitting to the foot joint and permanently sealed the head and middle joints together to create a sheath. A final wood segment - that nearly perfectly matches the flute's wood graining - forms the handle for a Prieur made #5 (adult sized) fencing blade - which screws securely into the flute! This is a highly unusual combination of vintage instrument and weapon- ideal for concealed protection, especially for those that engage in the highly dangerous lifestyles of orchestra musicians. Size: 36.75" L x 1.25" W (93.3 cm x 3.2 cm)

Provenance: ex-Stein collection, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, USA, acquired prior to 2010

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#168948

Condition

Flute has been converted into sword sheath, and the joints do not come apart. Losses to keypads on some nickel-silver keys, but most are intact. A custom wood handle attaches to foot joint. Adhesive residue on blade from securing to handle. Flute has not been tested for playing functionality. Blade is clearly marked with some minor rubbing, and flute marks are clear as well.
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