Harpsichord
1651 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
By the early 1600s, Antwerp was the main centre of harpsichord production in Europe, and the leading makers were the Ruckers family. Ruckers harpsichords were renowned for their beautiful tone and decoration. They were cherished and kept for generations, even if many surviving examples, including this one, were subsequently altered in order to keep up with the latest musical fashions. This instrument had long been associated with the composer George Frederick Handel (1685-1759), although it is now doubtful whether he ever owned it.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Parts | This object consists of 3 parts.
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Materials and techniques | Pine case, with spruce soundboard; lid and soundboard painted; gilt rose |
Dimensions |
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Production type | Unique |
Marks and inscriptions |
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Gallery label | HARPSICHORD
By Andreas Ruckers, the Elder, 1651
Inscribed above the keys ANDREAS RUCKERS ME FECIT ANTVERPIAE 1651 (sic) The instrument has a compass of fifty eight notes, GG, AA - f3, one four foot and two eight foot stops, and a spruce soundboard decorated with flowers and animals.
Keyboard Catalogue No.: 15
This instrument was originally a single manual harpsichord with a range of forty-five notes, but was extensively altered in the eighteenth century. It was said to have belonged to Handel, but the evidence remains inconclusive.
1079-1868(pre September 2000) |
Subjects depicted | |
Summary | By the early 1600s, Antwerp was the main centre of harpsichord production in Europe, and the leading makers were the Ruckers family. Ruckers harpsichords were renowned for their beautiful tone and decoration. They were cherished and kept for generations, even if many surviving examples, including this one, were subsequently altered in order to keep up with the latest musical fashions. This instrument had long been associated with the composer George Frederick Handel (1685-1759), although it is now doubtful whether he ever owned it. |
Collection | |
Accession number | 1079-1868 |
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Record created | May 16, 2001 |
Record URL |
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