Arpanetta of painted pinewood. German, dated 1713

'Soundbox of pine painted green with painted floral decoration. On each side, a complex paper rose. The soundbox has an internal partition and is surmounted by a carved and painted lion's head. At the base, painted paw feet. The strings on the right side comprise twenty six double courses, and fifteen single courses for semitones, these last set closer to the soundboard. On the left side are twenty-one single and double courses.' - Anthony Baines: Catalogue of Musical Instruments in the Victoria and Albert Museum - Part II: Non-keyboard insturments. (London, 1998), p 74.

The instrument was purchased from the Rev. H.R.Haweis for £10 in 1875.

The arpanetta is a free-standing instrument, shaped like an upright harpsichord or clavicytherium. It is fitted with metal strings on both sides and was widely used in Germany and the Netherlands from about 1650 until 1750. The player would set it on a table, pluck the melody with his right hand and strum the accompaniment with his left. It would no doubt have sounded like a cross between a harpsichord and a harp. This instrument is decorated with flowers, like the soundboards of harspichords made in the Netherlands and England, during the 17th century.

911-1875