This keyboard is so small it could be carried easily around the home or on a journey. Spinets like this were played in many private houses in 17th- and 18th-century Italy, often to accompany singing. The Latin text above the keys reads dum vixi tacui mortua dulce cano, meaning ‘while alive I was silent; now dead, I sweetly sing,’ The riddle takes the stance of a tree, which gained a voice when its wood was used to make the instrument.This is a small triangular spinet sounding an octave higher than usual. The rose of this instrument is particularly intricate in its design with several layers, and three colours (natural, gold, and red). The roses in Italian instruments tend to be in the gothic style also found in the rose windows of many churches of the period, and are often layered and pinned together. (Raymond Russell Collection).
Spinet
Petrus Michael Orlandus
Southern Europe
Italy
Europe

Instrument Information

Title

Octave spinet

Accession Number

4311

Collection

MIMEd; Raymond Russell Collection

Date Information

Date Made

1710

Period

18th century; 1710s

Gallery Information

Gallery

1812 Gallery

Case

Decoration

Maker Information

Maker Name

Petrus Michael Orlandus

Maker Biography

This instrument is attributed to Francesco Poggi(o) although it bears an inscription to Petrus Michael Orlandus. Poggi(o) is thought to have been born in Bohemia and may have worked in Venice before settling in Florence. In Florence he worked on the Via dei Servi the same street as two other important keyboard instrument makers. He died in 1634. There are many surviving virginals by this maker. No further details are known of Petrus Michael Orlandus other than that he worked in Italy and repaired this instrument in 1710 in Palermo.

Made In

Country

Italy

Description

Technical Description

Technical description: Italian octave spinet. Compass 45 notes C₂/E₂ - C₆ [C/E - c''']. One set of 4-ft strings. String lengths (plucking points): C₆ 73 (31), F₅ 106 (31), C₅ 169 (31), F₄ 248 (37), C₄ 337 (38), F₃ 462 (45), C₃ 571 (41), E₂/G♯₂ 661 (51), D₂/F♯₂ 702 (51), F₂ 711 (45), C₂ 742 (53). Signature/Marks: Nameboard inscribed "DV VIXI MORTUA DVLCE CANO"; written in ink on the back of the nameboard "Petrus Michael Orlandus anno 1710" (possibly copied from the original jackrail by Mabel Dolmetsch). Decoration: The rose is made in the birthday cake style typical of instruments originating in the south of Italy. There are several pierced layers forming a border and glued to the top surface of the soundboard, and then a deeper central part with small rosettes glued to pins. One of the layers of parchment was originally dyed red and the tiny rosettes were gilded, probably with bronze powder, producing a rich colourful effect. Total diameter: 96mm. Repair History: Restored by Arnold Dolmetsch; restored by John Barnes in 1967.

Provenance

Bought by Raymond Russell in 1956.; Gift of Mrs Gilbert Russell, 1964.

Classification

Instrument

Spinet

Instrument Family

Keyboard

Hornbostel Sachs Classification

musical instrument; 314.122-6-8