"Double-manual harpsichord"

Double-manual harpsichord | Francis Coston | Circa 1725

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

From the outside this Georgian harpsichord was perfectly on trend. Like fashionable furniture of the time, the case has been covered with pieces of thin, fine wood arranged to produce simple geometric patterns. But look under the lid and you’ll discover an explosion of colourful decoration beneath the strings. This harpsichord is one of only two known English instruments from this period that feature a decorated soundboard like this.This is a highly important and rare instrument, being one of the earliest extant English double-manual harpsichords from the early part of the eighteenth century. The finely executed and exuberant soundboard painting is very exceptional. Little is known about Coston except that he tuned and maintained instruments belonging to the First Duke of Chandos who was the patron of G.F. Handel. It is quite possible that Handel knew Coston and would have been familiar with instruments of this type. Purchased in 1991 with the assistance of the National Fund for Acquisitions, the National Art Collections Fund, and the Friends of St Cecilia's Hall.

Harpsichord

Instrument Data

Instrument Information

Title

Double-manual harpsichord

Accession Number

4320

Collection

MIMEd

Date Information

Date Made

Circa 1725

Period

18th century; 1720s; 1730s

Gallery Information

No information recorded.

Maker Information

Maker Name

Francis Coston

Maker Biography

Little is known of Francis Coston. He was a native English maker of keyboard instruments living at a time when the design of harpsichords was changing from the native English type to the Flemish influence type. He is thought to have been born in c.1700 and died in c.1738. He worked on Brownlow Street, Drury Lane, London.

Made In

City

London

Country

England

Description

Other Information

Specific usage history: on loan to the University 1987-1991.

Technical Description

Technical description: Double-manual English harpsichord. Compass 56 notes, G₁,A₁ - D₆,E₆ [GG,AA - d''',e''']. Three registers, 2 × 8-ft, 1 × 4-ft; the upper manual 8-ft has dogleg jacks to lower manual. Case sides are applied to the baseboard in an Italianate fashion. Gauge markings on the nuts probably date from 1761. String lengths (plucking points): E₆ 139 (89); C₆ 163 (95); F₅ 238 (109); C₅ 314 (120); F₄ 459 (133); C₄ 603 (147); F₃ 858 (159); C₃ 1063 (168); F₂ 1346 (182); C₂ 1551 (191); G₁ 1688 (199). Signature/Marks: Written on the near side of the jackrail "Franciscus Coston Londini Fecit". "The first Unison speaks to the treble. The octave in the middle speaks to the base" written with ligature `th's and long `s's on the back of the nameboard. Decoration: The case, lid, keywell, soundwell and jackrail are all veneered in plain walnut with ash herringbone stringing. The bottom edge of the case is surrounded by a composite ogee moulding of walnut over a core of pine. The embossed hinges and hardware were originally gilded, and turned gilt brass stop knobs are attached to levers of blued iron ornamented with a gilt foliate decoration. Unusually for an English harpsichord the soundboard is lavishly painted with birds, flowers and fruit. Technical drawing available from The Friends of St Cecilia's. Please see http://www.stceciliasfriends.org.uk/

Provenance

Given to Mrs Hamilton Steedman in 1980; bought by her father, the Reverend John Hamilton, in 1926 for his wife.; Purchased with assistance from the Friends of St Cecilia's Hall, the National Fund for Acquisitions, and the National Art-Collections Fund, 1991.

Classification