About this objectThis instrument travelled with Edward Bowd and his family from Hertfordshire England to Australia in 1857. The flutina has survived the life of a pioneering family, moving several times before settling in the Millthorpe area in 1861. The instrument remained in the Bowd family until Edward’s grandson , Wallace Henry George Bowd donated it to the Golden Memories Museum in 1967. The flutina is an early form of the button accordion, developed in Paris in the 1830s. It continued to be manufactured, until the 1880s in France and England.
The flutina has historical significance because of its connection to a pioneering family from the Millthorpe area. It provides evidence of a musical sophistication in the lives of the early settlers. It also has significance because of its beauty and completeness as a unique and comparatively rare musical instrument. The instrument is in wonderful condition despite its age and can still produce beautiful sounds.
Edward’s grandson, Wallace (Wally) Bowd (1900-1999) donated the flutina to the museum. It has been recorded that Wally remembered fondly his father playing the flutina at family gatherings.
Wally Bowd was a longstanding member of the Millthorpe community and was known for his support of the town band. In fact, Wally Bowd was made Orange’s Citizen of the Year for his services to the community ‘especially through the city’s town band and voluntary service to children and the aged.’ Wally was 89 years old when he was awarded this honour.
The instrument comprises two timber ends joined by concertina bellows. The timber is stained, has chamfered corners and fine serpentine scalloping on the edges. The bellows are made of what appears to be stiffened paper or leather with decorative paper on folds. On the right hand end of the object are two rows of mother of pearl keys. The left hand end has brass levers for allowing air into the bellows, one large spoon shaped lever with decoration and two smaller bass chord levers, one with a paper repair.
