Musette before 1900

This Musette was made by Carnaud; we don't have much more information. The musette is a small bagpipe, or, as in this case, a small oboe, both of which were popular in France during the Baroque era, particularly during the reign of Louis XIV. The musette’s popularity was tied to specific social trends. King Louis XIV encouraged the arts as a means to reflect the grandeur of his reign and to express his authority. Instruments like the musette became fashionable among the aristocracy, who saw them as symbols of refinement and sophistication. The pastoral associations of the instrument also allowed the elite to perform the role of shepherds and shepherdesses in courtly entertainments. As historians, we can examine paintings, literature, and court records of the time to understand the full scope of the instrument's cultural significance. The musette, like all art, tells a story about the society that created and embraced it.