Harpsichord
1776 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Jacob Kirckman (1710-1792) was hailed as 'the first harpsichord maker of the times' by Fanny Burney (1752-1846), the leading lady novelist of her day. A native of Alsace, France, Kirckman settled in London in the early 1730s, where he married the widow of his employer Hermann Tabel in 1738. In 1770 he went into a very profitable partnership with his nephew Abraham (1737-1794), and his rich-sounding instruments were much in demand.
Kirckman fitted his instruments, like this one, with a 'nag's head swell', a moving flap fixed to the lid which helped vary the volume, so that they could compete with pianos, which were becoming increasingly popular in England from the 1760s onwards. Although the harpsichord was virtually eclipsed by the piano by about 1800, Kirckman's instruments remained much sought after and were still being produced in 1809.
Kirckman fitted his instruments, like this one, with a 'nag's head swell', a moving flap fixed to the lid which helped vary the volume, so that they could compete with pianos, which were becoming increasingly popular in England from the 1760s onwards. Although the harpsichord was virtually eclipsed by the piano by about 1800, Kirckman's instruments remained much sought after and were still being produced in 1809.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 4 parts.
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| Materials and techniques | The case of oak veneered in mahogany, with panels outlined with sycamore stringing; the keyboard surround veneered in burr walnut with sycamore stringing. |
| Brief description | Harpsichord on stand, the case veneered in mahogany inlaid with sycamore stringing, in rectangular panels, the keyboard surrounds veneered in burr walnut, cross-banded with tulipwood and with sycamore stringing |
| Physical description | Harpsichord on stand, the case of oak veneered in mahogany inlaid with sycamore stringing, in rectangular panels, the keyboard surrounds veneered in burr walnut, cross-banded with tulipwood and with sycamore stringing. Teh soundboard is of spruce. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Gallery label |
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| Credit line | Given to the V & A by F.S. Dayman |
| Summary | Jacob Kirckman (1710-1792) was hailed as 'the first harpsichord maker of the times' by Fanny Burney (1752-1846), the leading lady novelist of her day. A native of Alsace, France, Kirckman settled in London in the early 1730s, where he married the widow of his employer Hermann Tabel in 1738. In 1770 he went into a very profitable partnership with his nephew Abraham (1737-1794), and his rich-sounding instruments were much in demand. Kirckman fitted his instruments, like this one, with a 'nag's head swell', a moving flap fixed to the lid which helped vary the volume, so that they could compete with pianos, which were becoming increasingly popular in England from the 1760s onwards. Although the harpsichord was virtually eclipsed by the piano by about 1800, Kirckman's instruments remained much sought after and were still being produced in 1809. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | W.43 to C-1927 |
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| Record created | May 16, 2001 |
| Record URL |
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