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Rectangular Octagonal Virginal, ca. 1600
Augsburg (?)
Wood and various materials; L. parallel to keyboard 17.4 in. (44.1 cm), W. perpendicular to keyboard 8.6 in. (21.8 cm), D. 3.6 in. (9.1 cm)

An ebony, casketlike virginal in the style of Samuel Biedermann the Elder, probably made in Augsburg about 1600, is decorated with engravings by Hans Sebald Beham and the elder Crispijn van de Passe. A delicate parchment rosette adorns the sound hole. Two shallow drawers, perhaps for sewing equipment, fit into the top of the lid. Sounding several octaves above normal pitch, this virginal was not intended for serious music-making.


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    Rectangular Octagonal Virginal, ca. 1600
    Augsburg (?)
    Wood and various materials; L. parallel to keyboard 17.4 in. (44.1 cm), W. perpendicular to keyboard 8.6 in. (21.8 cm), D. 3.6 in. (9.1 cm)