Oboe, Coenraad Rijkel, c. 1690 - c. 1700
Six Dutch Baroque Oboes. By the late 17th century, there was a thriving woodwind industry in the Dutch Republic. Sheet music printing was also an important source of income. Over 500 oboe solos appeared in Amsterdam between c. 1690 and c. 1750. Oboes were made of hardwoods – like boxwood, ebony, fruitwoods – and ivory. The keys were made of brass or, for fancier instruments, of silver. The most lavish instruments in this gallery were produced by the Richters brothers in Amsterdam.