Edward Baack
Flute

MakerAmerican, 1809–1893
CultureAmerican
Titles
  • Flute
Datec. 1864–1872
Made inNew York , New York, United States
MediumUnidentified wood, ivory or bone, and brass
Dimensions20 × 1 1/4 in. diameter (50.8 × 3.2 cm)
Credit LineThe Bayou Bend Collection, gift of Mr. and Mrs. Edmund Langwith
Object numberB.2011.25
Not on view

Explore Further

Department
Bayou Bend
Description

This flute belonged to John Sivil, Jr. Trained as a boot and shoemaker, Sivil enlisted in the Union Army during the Civil War and was commissioned as a fife major.

 Edward Baack, the maker of the flute, was a native of Germany who immigrated to New York City about 1832. There he became an importer in musical instruments as well as a dealer. In 1853 he exhibited at the New York Crystal Palace Exhibition.


ProvenanceJohn Sivil, Jr. (1828–1904); inherited by his daughter Elizabeth Mary Clark (nee Sivil (1851–1940); given to great-nephew Edmund Langwith, Jr. (1925–2012), Houston; given to MFAH, 2012.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks
" 400 " scratched into metal key
" E. BAACK / N. YORK " on each of four sections

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

If you have questions about this work of art or the MFAH Online Collection please contact us.

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