Italian, 17th century
Unknown
ca. 1626

Classification: Chordophone

Credit Line: Morris Steinert Collection

Accession Number: 4863.1900

Department: Yale Collection of Musical Instruments

Description

Single-manual harpsichord with three registers – two at 8’ pitch and one at 4’ pitch. The case of the instrument proper is of cypress. The case has been cut down so that it is now flush with the soundboard molding; nameboard and jacks are modern. The instrument is housed in an outer case painted with arabesques on a dark background and supported by a three square painted legs. The compass of the keyboard is four and one-half octaves, GG to c'''. The slides for the registers protrude through the right side of the case. The natural keys are covered with boxwood; the sharps are of ebony.

Inscriptions

Inscribed on the treble keyblock: "Restored to its former condition by Albert Mueller in the employ of C. Bechstein, Berlin & London & Petersburg. August December 1886.". Also inscribed: "Wiederhergestellt (sic) in den frueheren Zustand von Albert Mueller waehrend August Dezember 1886.".

Dimensions

Overall length: 250.2 cm, Overall width: 86.7 cm, Depth of case: 15.0 cm

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Harpsichord

Harpsichord, By Unknown, ca. 1626, Chordophone, Photo credit: Steinert, Morris. [ca. 1893]. ‘The M. Steinert collection of keyed and stringed instruments. With various treatises on the history of these instruments.’ New York: C. F. Tretbar, p. [18].

Photo credit: Steinert, Morris. [ca. 1893]. ‘The M. Steinert collection of keyed and stringed instruments. With various treatises on the history of these instruments.’ New York: C. F. Tretbar, p. [18].

Description

Single-manual harpsichord with three registers – two at 8’ pitch and one at 4’ pitch. The case of the instrument proper is of cypress. The case has been cut down so that it is now flush with the soundboard molding; nameboard and jacks are modern. The instrument is housed in an outer case painted with arabesques on a dark background and supported by a three square painted legs. The compass of the keyboard is four and one-half octaves, GG to c'''. The slides for the registers protrude through the right side of the case. The natural keys are covered with boxwood; the sharps are of ebony.

Inscriptions

Inscribed on the treble keyblock: "Restored to its former condition by Albert Mueller in the employ of C. Bechstein, Berlin & London & Petersburg. August December 1886.". Also inscribed: "Wiederhergestellt (sic) in den frueheren Zustand von Albert Mueller waehrend August Dezember 1886.".

Dimensions

Overall length: 250.2 cm, Overall width: 86.7 cm, Depth of case: 15.0 cm

Italian, 17th century
Unknown
ca. 1626

Classification: Chordophone

Credit Line: Morris Steinert Collection

Accession Number: 4863.1900

Department: Yale Collection of Musical Instruments

Description

Single-manual harpsichord with three registers – two at 8’ pitch and one at 4’ pitch. The case of the instrument proper is of cypress. The case has been cut down so that it is now flush with the soundboard molding; nameboard and jacks are modern. The instrument is housed in an outer case painted with arabesques on a dark background and supported by a three square painted legs. The compass of the keyboard is four and one-half octaves, GG to c'''. The slides for the registers protrude through the right side of the case. The natural keys are covered with boxwood; the sharps are of ebony.

Inscriptions

Inscribed on the treble keyblock: "Restored to its former condition by Albert Mueller in the employ of C. Bechstein, Berlin & London & Petersburg. August December 1886.". Also inscribed: "Wiederhergestellt (sic) in den frueheren Zustand von Albert Mueller waehrend August Dezember 1886.".

Dimensions

Overall length: 250.2 cm, Overall width: 86.7 cm, Depth of case: 15.0 cm

Download Image