Oboe c. 1750

This is an oboe, crafted from wood, with a length of 590mm and a diameter of 90mm, by an instrument maker known as D. Lott. Think about the social role of music when considering this object. Historically, instruments such as this oboe have been tied to expressions of class and social status. The ability to play, own, or even listen to certain types of music often demarcated who was considered elite versus who was working class. Who had access to musical education? For whom was entertainment created? Consider the labor behind the beauty of the instrument itself. The hands that shaped this oboe, the resources that were available to D. Lott, the communities or patronage that supported this work - these are all factors that give the piece deeper meaning, beyond its acoustic properties. I encourage you to reflect on the complex intersection of culture, craft, and identity embodied by this musical instrument.