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Ornamental rings
Most historical flutes were made with ivory or horn rings. These serve a double purpose: They reinforce the sockets, and as the ivory is much stronger than the wood, it prevents the flute from cracking at this weak point. Ivory was, and still is, a very expensive material, and having flutes decorated with ivory transformed them from “tools” for making music to luxurious objects of art that stated their owners refined taste and affluence. Less expensive instruments, especially made during the second half of the 18th century, were also decorated with black horn rings.
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When making modern replicas I use artificial ivory in order to give the instrument the elegant look of the originals, but as horn is still traded freely, I also offer flutes with a slightly different “look” (link to photo) which makes a nice contrast with un-stained or lightly stained boxwood instruments.
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