Single-manual harpsichord.

Andreas Ruckers the elder

Instrument

Harpsichord

Instrument Family

Keyboard

Maker

Andreas Ruckers the elder

Place Made

Central Europe; Belgium; Antwerp; Europe

Date Made

1609

Description

Technical description: Single manual Flemish harpsichord. Compass 51 notes C₂ - D₆ [C - d''']. Currently three registers: 2 × 8-ft, 1 × 4-ft. Registers operated by brass handstops protruding through the frontboard. Pitched at A = 415 Hz Decoration: Veneered with walnut panels and crossbanding. Natural keys of bone; accidentals of ebony. Signature/Marks: Inscribed on the soundboard "1609". Repair History: English eighteenth century ravelement: the case width extended and veneered in England in the 18th century, possibly by Kirckman. Original soundboard and decoration in good condition. The 8-ft bridge is probably an 18th-century replacement. Original compass: C₂/E₂ - C₆ [C/E - c'''] disposition: 8-ft + 4-ft. The present wrestplank, bottom , jack guides and jacks are by Dolmetsch (who changed keyboard, wrestplank; changing plucking points. Dolmetsch's keyboard replaced by Clayson and Garrett (after 1967) using ivory naturals and ebony sharps. Soundboard repairs, re-stringing using historical wire by M. Rose; revoicing by John Raymond, 1996.

Other Information

Specific usage history: Previously on loan to the University of Edinburgh c 1980 to 1996.

Notes

Sheila Barnes, 2007.

Measurements

1870.

Provenance

Bought by Peter Williams in 1967 from Mrs Lambert, Bath; previously owned by Herbert Lambert; ex- Arnold Dolmetsch collection.; on loan to the collection, 2006.