# Hobo of schalmei

- By: Richard Haka (London, 1646–1705)
- Date: c. 1680
- Medium: ebony (wood), silver (metal)
- Classification: musical instrument
- Dimensions: diameter 80 mm
- Credit line: Purchased with the support of the State of the Netherlands and the Vereeniging van Noord-Nederlandsche Muziekgeschiedenis
- Museum: [Rijksmuseum](https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en/collection/object/BK-NM-11430-81--fbc97a1181e5e632386c7c938d4e1e8f)
- Rights: [Public Domain Mark](http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/)
- Picture: https://iiif.micr.io/MiDOA/full/!1920,1080/0/default.jpg
- Who can see it: Tweens profiles and older (museums give no ratings; placed by Invisible Network from the museum's own words)

The oboe was invented by French woodwind instrument makers at the service of Louis XIV. For its distinctive timbre, it was quickly adopted all over Europe into the main body of the orchestra. French instruments were imported to the Dutch Republic where, from about 1680, a prosperous community of makers mainly based in Amsterdam, produced some of the most richly decorated oboes ever made.