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American, 20th century
Chickering & Sons
Boston , 1909

Classification: Chordophone

Credit Line: Gift of Ralph Kirkpatrick

Accession Number: 4897.1984

Department: Yale Collection of Musical Instruments

Description

Double-manual harpsichord with three choirs of strings: two 8’ and one 4’. Keyboard compass is five octaves: FF to f’’’. Four registers of jacks: the one closest to the player is controlled from the upper manual, and the other three are played from the lower manual; dogleg coupler. The natural keys are covered with ebony, the sharps with ivory. There are six pedals, which perform the following functions (left to right) when depressed: 1. disengages upper manual 8’; 2. engages lower manual 8’ (register most distant from nut); 3. engages lower manual 4’ and activates buff stop; 5. engages lower manual register of jacks plucking closer to nut; 6. activates dogleg coupler.

Outside of case and lid are painted dark green, with gilded edges and mouldings. Inside of lid is painted vermilion, with gold bands and a Latin motto. The case is supported by a trestle stand.

Inscriptions

Inscribed on a scroll-like cartouche on the wrestplank: "Made · by · Chickering · & · Sons · Boston / under · the · direction · of / Arnold · Dolmetsch · Boston· V· S·A / MCMIX / no · 60"; inscribed on the nameboard: "CHICKERING ·& · SONS · BOSTON · V·S·A · MCMVI · No 1"; inscribed on the main section of the lid: "SCIENTIA NON HABET INIMI- / CUM NISI IGNORANTEM"; inscribed on the interior of the front flap of the lid: "ACTA VIRUM PROBANT".

Dimensions

Overall length: 283.5 cm, Overall width: 96.5 cm, Depth of case: 27.2 cm

Harpsichord

Harpsichord, By Chickering & Sons, 1909, Chordophone, Photo credit: Alex Contreras

Photo credit: Alex Contreras

Description

Double-manual harpsichord with three choirs of strings: two 8’ and one 4’. Keyboard compass is five octaves: FF to f’’’. Four registers of jacks: the one closest to the player is controlled from the upper manual, and the other three are played from the lower manual; dogleg coupler. The natural keys are covered with ebony, the sharps with ivory. There are six pedals, which perform the following functions (left to right) when depressed: 1. disengages upper manual 8’; 2. engages lower manual 8’ (register most distant from nut); 3. engages lower manual 4’ and activates buff stop; 5. engages lower manual register of jacks plucking closer to nut; 6. activates dogleg coupler.

Outside of case and lid are painted dark green, with gilded edges and mouldings. Inside of lid is painted vermilion, with gold bands and a Latin motto. The case is supported by a trestle stand.

Inscriptions

Inscribed on a scroll-like cartouche on the wrestplank: "Made · by · Chickering · & · Sons · Boston / under · the · direction · of / Arnold · Dolmetsch · Boston· V· S·A / MCMIX / no · 60"; inscribed on the nameboard: "CHICKERING ·& · SONS · BOSTON · V·S·A · MCMVI · No 1"; inscribed on the main section of the lid: "SCIENTIA NON HABET INIMI- / CUM NISI IGNORANTEM"; inscribed on the interior of the front flap of the lid: "ACTA VIRUM PROBANT".

Dimensions

Overall length: 283.5 cm, Overall width: 96.5 cm, Depth of case: 27.2 cm

American, 20th century
Chickering & Sons
Boston , 1909

Classification: Chordophone

Credit Line: Gift of Ralph Kirkpatrick

Accession Number: 4897.1984

Department: Yale Collection of Musical Instruments

Description

Double-manual harpsichord with three choirs of strings: two 8’ and one 4’. Keyboard compass is five octaves: FF to f’’’. Four registers of jacks: the one closest to the player is controlled from the upper manual, and the other three are played from the lower manual; dogleg coupler. The natural keys are covered with ebony, the sharps with ivory. There are six pedals, which perform the following functions (left to right) when depressed: 1. disengages upper manual 8’; 2. engages lower manual 8’ (register most distant from nut); 3. engages lower manual 4’ and activates buff stop; 5. engages lower manual register of jacks plucking closer to nut; 6. activates dogleg coupler.

Outside of case and lid are painted dark green, with gilded edges and mouldings. Inside of lid is painted vermilion, with gold bands and a Latin motto. The case is supported by a trestle stand.

Inscriptions

Inscribed on a scroll-like cartouche on the wrestplank: "Made · by · Chickering · & · Sons · Boston / under · the · direction · of / Arnold · Dolmetsch · Boston· V· S·A / MCMIX / no · 60"; inscribed on the nameboard: "CHICKERING ·& · SONS · BOSTON · V·S·A · MCMVI · No 1"; inscribed on the main section of the lid: "SCIENTIA NON HABET INIMI- / CUM NISI IGNORANTEM"; inscribed on the interior of the front flap of the lid: "ACTA VIRUM PROBANT".

Dimensions

Overall length: 283.5 cm, Overall width: 96.5 cm, Depth of case: 27.2 cm