Flutes are one of the oldest and most versatile musical instruments in the world. They can produce beautiful melodies, enchanting harmonies, and impressive solos. Flutes come in different shapes, sizes, and materials, ranging from simple bamboo pipes to elaborate metal contraptions. Some flutes are so rare and exquisite that they can cost a fortune. In this article, we will explore the 10 most expensive flutes in the world and what makes them so special.
Yamaha Professional Rose Gold Flute ($25,000)
Let’s start with a flute that is both elegant and affordable (well, relatively speaking). The Yamaha Professional Rose Gold Flute is a stunning instrument that features a 14k rose gold headjoint, a sterling silver body and footjoint, and white gold springs. The rose gold gives the flute a warm and rich tone, while the silver adds brightness and clarity. The flute also has a split E mechanism, a C# trill key, and an offset G key for easy fingering. The Yamaha Professional Rose Gold Flute is a great choice for advanced players who want a high-quality flute with a unique look and sound.
Altus 5407 Series Gold Handmade Flute ($28,000)
The Altus 5407 Series Gold Handmade Flute is a masterpiece of craftsmanship and artistry. It is made of 14k gold, which is known for its pure and resonant sound. The flute has a hand-carved headjoint, a soldered tone hole construction, and a pinless mechanism. The flute also has a B footjoint, a split E mechanism, and a C# trill key for extra versatility. The Altus 5407 Series Gold Handmade Flute is a flute that combines beauty and performance, making it a dream for any professional flutist.
Louis Lot Silver Flute ($40,000)
The Louis Lot Silver Flute is a historical treasure that dates back to the 19th century. Louis Lot was a French flute maker who revolutionized the design and mechanics of the flute. He introduced the cylindrical bore, the ring keys, and the open holes, which are still used in modern flutes. He also used silver as the main material for his flutes, which gave them a brilliant and powerful tone. The Louis Lot Silver Flute is one of the rarest and most sought-after flutes in the world, as it represents the legacy of a legendary flute maker.
Lillian Burkart Elite Model Flute ($52,300)
The Lillian Burkart Elite Model Flute is a flute that reflects the personal touch and attention to detail of its maker, Lillian Burkart. Burkart is a renowned flute maker who has been crafting flutes for over 40 years. She uses advanced precision tools and artisanal techniques to create flutes of exceptional quality and beauty. The Lillian Burkart Elite Model Flute is made of 14k rose gold, which gives it a warm and rich tone. The flute also has a 14k gold mechanism, 14k gold tone holes, a C# trill key, a split E mechanism, and a D# roller. The flute is customizable to suit the preferences of the player, making it a truly unique and personal instrument.
Lunn Green Gold Flute ($55,000)
The Lunn Green Gold Flute is a flute that stands out for its distinctive color and sound. The flute is made of 18k green gold, which is a rare and expensive alloy of gold and silver. The green gold gives the flute a soft and mellow tone, as well as a stunning appearance. The flute also has a platinum riser, a soldered tone hole construction, and a pinless mechanism. The Lunn Green Gold Flute is a flute that is both rare and exquisite, making it a valuable and desirable instrument.
Nagahara Handmade Custom Gold Flute ($59,020)
The Nagahara Handmade Custom Gold Flute is a flute that showcases the skill and innovation of its maker, Kanichi Nagahara. Nagahara is a Japanese flute maker who has been making flutes since 1979. He is known for his original designs and inventions, such as the Nagahara Mini-Brögger System, the Nagahara Flute Headjoint, and the Nagahara Flute Case. The Nagahara Handmade Custom Gold Flute is made of 14k gold, which gives it a clear and powerful tone. The flute also has a hand-cut headjoint, a soldered tone hole construction, and a Nagahara Mini-Brögger System. The flute is customizable to suit the needs and preferences of the player, making it a flute that is tailor-made for excellence.
Verne Q. Powell Custom Handmade Gold and Platinum Flute ($80,000)
The Verne Q. Powell Custom Handmade Gold and Platinum Flute is a flute that represents the pinnacle of flute making. Verne Q. Powell was an American flute maker who founded his company in 1927. He is regarded as one of the best flute makers in history, as he created flutes that were used by some of the most famous flutists in the world, such as William Kincaid, Jean-Pierre Rampal, and James Galway. The Verne Q. Powell Custom Handmade Gold and Platinum Flute is made of 14k gold and platinum, which gives it a superb and balanced tone. The flute also has a hand-cut headjoint, a soldered tone hole construction, and a pinless mechanism. The flute is customizable to suit the specifications of the player, making it a flute that is unparalleled in quality and performance.
Brannen Brothers Platinum Flute ($80,000)
The Brannen Brothers Platinum Flute is a flute that is made of one of the most precious and rare metals in the world: platinum. Platinum is known for its durability, density, and purity, which make it ideal for creating flutes with a brilliant and resonant sound. The Brannen Brothers Platinum Flute is made of 95% pure platinum, which gives it a stunning silver-white color and a smooth and flawless surface. The flute also has a hand-cut headjoint, a soldered tone hole construction, and a pinless mechanism. The flute is customizable to suit the preferences of the player, making it a flute that is both luxurious and versatile.
Haynes Platinum Flute ($84,000)
The Haynes Platinum Flute is a flute that is made by one of the oldest and most respected flute makers in the world: Wm. S. Haynes. Haynes is an American flute maker who has been making flutes since 1888. He is known for his innovation and craftsmanship, as he introduced the first American-made platinum flute in 1938. The Haynes Platinum Flute is made of 95% pure platinum, which gives it a bright and powerful tone. The flute also has a hand-carved headjoint, a soldered tone hole construction, and a pinless mechanism. The flute is customizable to suit the specifications of the player, making it a flute that is both legendary and contemporary.
William Kincaid’s Verne Q. Powell Flute ($187,000)
The William Kincaid’s Verne Q. Powell Flute is the most expensive in the world, as it was sold at auction for $187,000 in 1986. The flute is made of thin-walled platinum with sterling silver keys, which give it a pure and resonant tone. The flute was made in 1939 by Verne Q. Powell, and it was originally displayed at the New York Fair, where it had to be guarded at all times. The flute was later bought by William Kincaid, who was one of the most influential flutists in American history. He used the flute for 28 years, playing with the New York City Symphony Orchestra and the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra. After he died in 1967, the flute passed to one of his students, Elaine Shaffer, who was also a renowned flutist. In 1986, the flute was sold to Stuart Pivar, a collector and author, who later loaned it to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. William Kincaid’s Verne Q. Powell Flute is a flute that is not only extremely valuable but also extremely historical, as it represents the legacy of two of the greatest flutists of all time.
