| Description | Harpsichord roses are largely of only ornamental importance, although in some traditions they include the maker's initials. This rose is made of layers of wood glued to a parchment backing, and is in a number of layers in the manner of an 'inverted wedding cake'. The outer part is on top of the soundboard while the inner parts protrude through a hole to a lower level. The lowest layer of parchment reveals a partial date of 'MDCX' showing that, since the parchment is reused, the earliest date for the harpsichord is 1620. Such three-dimensional roses were common in Italy during this time. |
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