These are both-five keyed clarinets copied from some of the earliest known to have been made in England, which are in the Bate collection at Oxford University.

The B flat instrument is based on an almost identical pair which originally belonged to the Sharp family who lived at Hardwicke Court, and one of them figures in Zoffany's famous painting featuring the family's music party on the River Thames. They are both made of stained boxwood with a heavy striped figuration and have ivory mounts and brass keys. One has its original boxwood mouthpiece integral with the barrel, showing clearly that it was meant to be played reed upwards.

The C instrument is based on a slightly later original having very similar shape and design.

A version in A is also available, based on the B flat original.

These clarinets have the typically characteristic sound of the early English clarinet and their natural pitch is a little below a’=440 but flexible enough for them to be played at modern pitch with a suitable reed.

Several options are available including: separate mouthpiece and barrel (same outside profile);ebonite mouthpiece (recommended especially for practice); cranked F sharp/C sharp key (as featured on the C instrument); slight modification of pitch (eg.a’=430).

Left: Clarinet in C (ebonite mouthpiece). Right: Clarinet in B flat.