Bassoon

This instrument is in moderate conditions of preservation. It is made of maple; rings and the ten keys are made of nickel-silver. Though it was produced in the late 19th century, this specimen is based on a decidedly older construction model. In 1855 Cesare Ruggiero started to work in the carftsmanship of his family for construction and repairs of wind instruments. The company was established in 1820. The mark "Ruggiero & Figli" visible on this bassoon appears starting from 1881, and is also found on plucked string instruments that the company is supposed to have started producing during the same period. As reported by the "Gazzetta Musicale di Milano" in 1894, at the Esposizioni Riunite of Milan that year the company Ruggero & Figli presented "wind instruments in brass of rare beauty, and often still some in nickel-silver with magnificent craftsmanship. Among these there was also a genuine abundance of mandolins, mandolas, guitars, lyre".