Bassoon. Index card reads: Six brass keys: brass mounts: fruit wood. Crook contemporary. Constricted bell. Bull catalogue: Played at Kelston Church nr. Bath with serpent 15.10.48/105. Lacks entire F sharp key (hole blocked) and shank of F key (saddles and cover-plate present). Ferrule missing from butt: ferrule of crook socket cracked. Suitable for restoration. Relapping required: pads lacking. Length: butt to bell: 123 mm, butt to crook: 912 mm; Bore at wing tenon: 16 mm, at long joint tenon: 25 mm, at bell tenon: 31.5 mm, at bell opening: 26.5 mm (irregular). FURTHER DESCRIPTION FROM EXAMINATION DURING GALLERY PHOTOSHOOT 8-9-08: Back of instrument: butt joint has centrally positioned round hole, once key-covered, but key and mount now missing. Long joint has three keys and one open finger hole. Two keys have bascule joints, and all are saddle mounted. Inscription at top of long joint has 'unicorn's head with 'GOULDING' written upside down above. Cylindrical pillar with hole for sling cast into back of top ferrule of butt joint.
This bassoon was played in the early 19th century in the church band of St Nicholas' church in Kelston near Bath. The serpent, Horniman Museum number M15.10.48/105, also formed part of that ensemble.
