Glassichord

mid-19th century

Not on view

The glassichord is an 18th century musical invention featuring glass bars struck with hammers that are activated by a keyboard. The instrument was invented in France and purportedly named by Benjamin Franklin who had an example he brought back to the United States. This example has casework similar to New York made pianos of the nineteenth century.

Artwork Details

Object Information

Overview

Provenance

References

Title: Glassichord
Date: mid-19th century
Geography: New York, United States
Culture: American
Medium: Mahogany, various materials
Dimensions: 70cm x 51cm x 26cm
Classification: Idiophone-Struck-bar-glass
Credit Line: The Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments, 1889
Object Number: 89.4.1202
Curatorial Department: Musical Instruments

More Artwork

In the same medium

From the same time and place

Presentation Sword and Scabbard of Brigadier General Daniel Davis (1777–1814) of the New York Militia, John Targee American, Steel, gold, silver, American, New York — Presentation Sword and Scabbard of Brigadier General Daniel Davis (1777–1814) of the New York Militia
Silversmith John Targee
ca. 1815–17

Teponaztli, wood (Mahogany?), Mexican — Teponaztli
Mexican
19th century

Mandolin, Angelo Mannello American, born Italy, Spruce, tortoiseshell, ivory, nickel-silver, metal,, American — Mandolin
Angelo Mannello
ca. 1900

Metronome, Johann Nepomuk Maelzel German, Mahogany, tulipwood, brass, French — Metronome
Johann Nepomuk Maelzel
ca. 1821

Pair of Candelabra, Tiffany & Co. American, Silver, American — Pair of Candelabra
Tiffany & Co.
1884

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please contact us using the form below. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.

Send feedback

Content Notice

The Metropolitan Museum of Art presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world, and our online collection reflects ongoing work conducted over the course of our more than 150-year history. You may encounter objects or images that may be inappropriate for some viewers or information that may be outdated.