Basson d'amour

Basson d'amour (Fr.), modern name for a 3-keyed bassoon with an “amore”-shaped bulb bell of brass. Surviving specimens all appear to be from the same workshop, possibly Swiss, as some are known to have served in churches of Canton Bern. They have a pirouette on the crook and are ca. 115 cm. (3 ft. 10 in.) high (89 Langwill). Grove's Dictionary of Music and Musicians, 5th edition. London, 1954.