"Double-manual harpsichord"

Double-manual harpsichord | Andreas Ruckers the elder | 1608

Double-manual harpsichord. Photo by Digital Imaging Unit Photograph © The University of Edinburgh

When Andreas Ruckers made this double-keyboard harpsichord in 1608 it was fit for a queen. A century after it had been owned by Queen Christina of Sweden the instrument was converted to a piano, a major operation that involved removing a keyboard and replacing the entire internal mechanism. The piano was restored to its original harpsichord form in 1928.This harpsichord was originally a transposing instrument like the other doublemanual Ruckers in the collection. The two keyboards in the instrument were aligned and brought to the same pitch in the late 17th-century when the number of strings to each note was also increased from two to three. In the 18th century it was then converted to a pianoforte and the upper keyboard removed. The restoration to a harpsichord followed in the 1920s. The lid painting of this instrument is particularly fine, and signed “PCIV” on the upper edge of the closed book depicted in the painting. This may be the initials of Pieter Codde (1619-1666). (Raymond Russell Collection).

Harpsichord

Andreas Ruckers the elder

Instrument Data

Instrument Information

Title

Double-manual harpsichord

Accession Number

4303

Collection

Raymond Russell Collection; MIMEd

Date Information

Date Made

1608

Period

17th century

Gallery Information

No information recorded.

Maker Information

Maker Name

Andreas Ruckers the elder

Maker Biography

"The Ruckers family were a dynasty of harpsichord and virginal builders who dominated Flemish keyboard instrument building from the end of the sixteenth century and through the seventeenth century. Their ideas were disseminated across Europe and laid the foundation of other harpsichord traditions in later periods. The family was based in Antwerp and began with Hans Ruckers (c.1550-98). Andreas (I) was the second eldest son of Hans Ruckers. He was born in c.1579 and died in 1651/3. Andreas initially worked for his elder brother Ioannes after his father’s death in c.1598. He signed instruments jointly with his brother until 1605. The brothers separated at this point with Ioannes keeping his father’s workshop and Andreas presumably setting up a new workshop. The new workshop was not far from his brother’s workshop which was also near the house of the noted painter Peter Paul Rubens."

Made In

City

Antwerp

Country

Belgium

Description

Technical Description

Technical description: Double-manual Flemish harpsichord. Compass 51 notes G₁/B₁ - C₆,D₆ [GG/BB - c''',d''']. Three sets of strings (now removed) 2 × 8-ft, 1 × 4-ft, 4 registers. Signature/Marks: Inscribed on the name batten "ANDREAS RUCKERS ME FECIT ANTVERPIAE 1608"; on soundboard "1608". Decoration: Outside of the case is painted green with gold scrolled leaf borders. The oil painting on the wing lid, an amorous scene, is signed "PCIV" on the upper edge of the closed book depicted. Possibly by Pieter Codde (1619-1666). The painting on the lid flap is a classical scene of amours. Repair History: Originally a transposing instrument with two keyboards at different pitches. Altered c1680 to bring the keyboards into line, extra 8-ft register added. Converted to a pianoforte in the 18th century, upper keyboard removed. Returned to a harpsichord in 1928 by Alec Hodsdon. Restored in 1953 by Andre Douglas with new keyboards and jacks, the original lower keyboard being preserved separately. The name batten is not original.

Provenance

Bought by Raymond Russell in 1952 from Miss D.L. Smith, Wickhambrook, Suffolk; owned by Sir Arthur Wheeler, Brownsea Island in 1927; ex- Charles van Raalte collection.; Gift of Mrs Gilbert Russell, 1964.

Classification