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Folding Harpsichord

mid-18th century
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 681
A rare form of a small harpsichord, the folding harpsichord was made to sit on a table. It has a removable keyboard as well as a soundboard in three hinged sections that fold up. This instrument has a limited range of less than four octaves and a quiet sound, which would have been well suited for private music making.

Technical description: Folding harpsichord (Clavecin brise) is composed of one rectangular and two trapezoidal sections hinged together to fold into a rectangular box shape for travel; case and soundboard of cypress with a multi-layered parchment rose; c/e-c4, single manual, 2x4 inches, olivewood naturals, key fronts now missing, black-stained accidentals covered with rosewood plates, keys guided by pins between the rear of the levers; pearwood jacks with beech tongues, brass leaf springs, quill plectra.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Folding Harpsichord
  • Date: mid-18th century
  • Geography: Italy
  • Culture: Italian
  • Medium: Cypress, iron, and various materials
  • Dimensions: L.: 75.4 cm (29-3/4 in.); W.: 62.8 cm (24-3/4 in.)
  • Classification: Chordophone-Zither-plucked-harpsichord
  • Credit Line: Gift of The Chicago Historical Society, 1979
  • Object Number: 1979.522.1
  • Curatorial Department: Musical Instruments

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