Musette c. 1915 - 1919

Curator: Well, isn't that sweet? It's so… petite. Like a toy a very serious mouse would play. Editor: Indeed! What we're looking at is a musette, crafted from wood by the Thibouville Frères workshop, circa 1915 to 1919. Curator: Thibouville Frères. Sounds fancy, doesn't it? I can almost hear a faint tune wafting from it, something pastoral, maybe a bit melancholic. A quiet walk in the park in autumn. It looks old, you know, worn and precious. Editor: Note the elegance in the simple construction. Observe how the bore is a truncated cone with several keys controlling the instrument's range, the way the instrument’s components exhibit visual harmony despite their distinct functionality. It strikes a balance between form and utility. Curator: I see it; the whole piece almost feels like it has an energy of verticality! This really affects the feeling it gives off to the person, don’t you think? It feels, how should I put this... stable. But, still simple! This creates an incredible effect, so great! Editor: I concur! And, how the light glances off those keys, revealing both their materiality and their function. I find in that a testament to the enduring value of thoughtful craftsmanship and visual art meeting together, the epitome of beauty and perfection together! Curator: Makes you wonder who played it, doesn't it? What stories it could tell. Perhaps some dandy played and dreamed of playing and dreaming during war times… Editor: An intriguing artifact that provokes reflection on how function can still retain elegance and beauty in all situations, making for a very appealing artistic composition, despite the historical and artistic differences. Curator: I’ll say! And, this little thing carries quite a presence, a certain magic that transports you to another time!