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.
Nearly a century and a half later, the cornet remains fully playable. However, decades of constant friction have worn down the tight internal tolerances of the pistons, resulting in weak air compression. To overcome this internal wear and tear, the instrument requires a very high-viscosity, heavy valve oil. The thick oil temporarily acts as a physical seal inside the worn casings, trapping the air and allowing the vintage mechanics to slot notes properly.