Antoine Courtois & Mille (1894)

Manufactured in early 1894, this exquisite cornet marks a fascinating era of partnership within the legendary French workshop, bearing the temporary corporate name Antoine Courtois & Mille. This instrument stands out as a true artistic luxury item from the late nineteenth century.

While standard Courtois models often favored minimalist or purely industrial text stampings, this premium horn features a stunning, hand-cut floral engraving wrapping entirely around the bell rim. This intricate decorative band is an incredibly rare feature seldom seen on surviving Courtois instruments.
The cornet is still fully playable today, though it is built in high pitch. The valves have lost some compression over the decades, so you need a heavy valve oil to seal the casings. Once that's applied, the instrument plays and slots surprisingly well.