Transverse Flute in D-flat. Culture: French. Dimensions: Height: 24 3/4 in. (62.9 cm). Maker: Claude Laurent (French, Langres active 1805-1848 Paris). Date: 1813.Claude Laurent, a Parisian watchmaker and mechanic, invented the technology to produce glass flutes that became an early 19th century novelty. He used lead crystal and other types of glass to make white, cobalt blue, and uranium green flutes. This fragile white crystal flute has four brass keys but Laurent manufactured more complicated key systems including one invented by Theobald Boehm (1794-1881), "the father of the modern flute." "Crystal flutes" went out of style after Laurent's death but his innovative use of pillars to mount the keys became an industrial standard. Museum: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA.