Ivory Cornett
If the anaconda was Keith's most impressive piece of large-scale work at Christopher Monk Instruments, then the ivory cornetts (he made two of them) take pride of place for small-scale work. The picture above betrays the host of difficulties encountered whilst working in this most exciting but demanding material. Unlike a historic ivory cornett, which would have been made gouged out in one piece, this instrument is made in two halves like a wooden instrument. It is held together by, amongst other cunning devices, 62 tiny hand-made ivory pins. Sturdily grasped here by Keith's strong hands, this instrument is a work of art in its own right and took hundreds of hours to create.
(Our ivory is antique and fully certified.)