Harpsichord
This large cypress instrument has two sets of unison strings, and, like most Italian harpsichords, can be removed from its outer painted case. An inscription explains that the instrument was restored in 1755 by Giovanni Ferrini, who replaced Bartolomeo Cristofori as Medici court harpsichord maker. Ferrini extended the range of its keyboard to the present GG–c'''. This harpsichord is one of only two that can be firmly attributed to Zenti.
Technical description: Inner-outer case construction, inner case and soundboard of cypress, outer case of painted deal, on three heavy turned legs, legs and outer case may not be original; present compass is AA-f3, original was GG, AA-c3, compass was enlarged in 18th century by shifting original keyboard to the left, adding new keys at the treble end, and by moving the nut and bridge to retain the approximate original scaling as much as possible (see measurements); boxwood naturals with boxwood arcades, black-stained hardwood accidentals covered with ebony plates, keys guided by wooden slips in rack; single manual, 2x8' , box guides may be moved by wires that protrude through the cheek, present jacks are modern replacements (old jacks have been saved, could be original, are of beech (?) with brass leaf springs and leather plectra, double flag dampers, have been extended 5 or 6 mm at bottom; pierced parchment rose in soundboard.
Technical description: Inner-outer case construction, inner case and soundboard of cypress, outer case of painted deal, on three heavy turned legs, legs and outer case may not be original; present compass is AA-f3, original was GG, AA-c3, compass was enlarged in 18th century by shifting original keyboard to the left, adding new keys at the treble end, and by moving the nut and bridge to retain the approximate original scaling as much as possible (see measurements); boxwood naturals with boxwood arcades, black-stained hardwood accidentals covered with ebony plates, keys guided by wooden slips in rack; single manual, 2x8' , box guides may be moved by wires that protrude through the cheek, present jacks are modern replacements (old jacks have been saved, could be original, are of beech (?) with brass leaf springs and leather plectra, double flag dampers, have been extended 5 or 6 mm at bottom; pierced parchment rose in soundboard.
Artwork Details
- Title: Harpsichord
- Maker: Girolamo Zenti (Viterbo 1609-11?–1666/7 Paris)
- Date: 1666
- Geography: Rome, Italy
- Culture: Italian
- Medium: Cypress, boxwood, ebony, brass, leather
- Dimensions: L. 243cm
W. 91cm
D. 27cm
front legs: 90cm x 25.5cm x 66cm
back legs: 26cm x 26cm x 67cm - Classification: Chordophone-Zither-plucked-harpsichord
- Credit Line: The Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments, 1889
- Object Number: 89.4.1220a-b
- Curatorial Department: Musical Instruments
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