- Made in France in 1902 (Barat era)
- Silver
- Seamed tubing, 0.014″
- Soldered tone holes
- Open hole
- Pointed keys
- Inline G
- B shake
- B-foot
- Left-hand low B lever
- 18k gold embouchure
- Embouchure: 9.86 mm x 11.75 mm x 4.83 mm (0.190″)
- Weight: 444 g
- Head sounding length: 151 mm
- Sounding length: 640 mm
- Traditional scale
- A=440 Hz
Louis Lot 7148 was made during the Barat period in 1902. The original case holds the flute fully assembled, and the tight-fitting foot tenon suggests that the instrument was intended to stay assembled. This was one of the best and most expensive Lot flutes one could order at the time, with an 18K gold embouchure and left-hand lever for low B.
The sound of this flute is remarkable—resonant and vibrant. The sweet French glow we often associate with Louis Lot flutes is well integrated throughout the registers. The more we play this flute, the more we discover its flexibility in tonal colors and character, ranging from earthy to celestial. It’s one of the finest Barat-era flutes we’ve encountered.
It is rare to know the original owner of a Lot flute. With Lot 7148, we not only know the name of its illustrious owner but also have an autobiography of the second owner. The current (and third) owner acquired it from the estate of that second owner.
In 1902, Ali Ekrem Kemal (1867-1937) purchased the flute and ordered an elaborate monogram, E.K. We thought these initials were a cuirious choice rather than AE. However, in a personal letter from a family member in 1997, the person referred to a photo with the inscription, “To Ekrem, the Kemal’s son.” (Ali Ekrem’s father, Namik Kemal, was a renowned poet and author.)
Ali Ekrem worked in Constantinople as Secretary to Sultan Abdülhamid, 34th Sultan of the Ottoman Empire. He was also fluent in French and enjoyed reading the latest French literature from the extensive library of his close friend, Mustafa Kemal Pasha, brother-in-law of the Sultan. But what Ali enjoyed most were the many performances by superb international musicians that Kemal Pasha invited to his home.
Ali Ekrem eventually became governor of the province of Jerusalem in 1906. During his career, he carefully preserved many official documents, and several books have been written based on this material. Having served the Sutan before becoming governor, he could certainly afford the finest Lot instrument available. He undoubtedly continued playing his flute throughout his career as a public official, and we can only imagine the music that international dignitaries heard from this exquisite instrument.
Ali Ekrem’s daughter Selma Ekrem was born the same year as this beautiful flute, in 1902. On February 4, 1926, Ali Ekrem had 7148 fully overhauled at the Lot factory (see log book entry below). The flute would soon pass to Selma, who cherished the instrument until she died in 1986. We are grateful she kept Lot 7148 and its original case in nearly perfect condition!
Selma became a prolific writer and ambassador of Turkish culture within the United States. She published several books and articles. Her first book, written in 1930, is “Unveiled: The Autobiography of a Turkish Girl.” A signed copy of this book, as well as an original photograph of her father, Ali Ekrem Kemal, and an original letter from another family member, is included with Lot 7148. (These items will be available after the sale has been finalized.)
The flute was overhauled by Gary Lewis and is in exceptional condition, unaltered.
Price: $15,950
Sold as is. Sales tax applies to purchases within California. For inquiries on purchasing, please contact Gary Lewis.
