Audio Clips

Close the lid on this clavichord and you could pick it up and take it on a journey. The instrument’s soft sound meant it was best-suited for playing in small rooms. Its low volume has the added bonus of not disturbing the neighbours.Displayed at the centre of this lid is a chequy (chequered)-patterned crest held up by two leaf-tailed creatures. A consistent chequy-pattern in a shield with no other symbols on it suggests it belonged to an old family. The exact origins of the crest are unknown, however the appearance of the helmet and the colours used (red symbolising military strength and gold wisdom) all point towards the owner being of military ranking. (Rodger Mirrey Collection).
Clavichord
Unknown

Instrument Information

Title

Clavichord

Accession Number

4487

Collection

Rodger Mirrey Collection; MIMEd

Date Information

Date Made

Circa 1740

Period

18th century; 1730s

Gallery Information

Gallery

Binks Gallery

Case

Below the Surface

Maker Information

Maker Name

Unknown

Made In

No information recorded.

Description

Technical Description

Technical description: Unfretted clavichord. Compass 49 notes, C₂ - D₆ [C - d''']. Double strung throughout. Bridge double-pinned throughout. Note names are written in ink on a parchment strip beside the tuning pins. The framed stand is old. Pitched at A = 415 Hz Decoration: The exterior of the case has a painted grained finished. The lid decoration shows a shield supported by two leaf-tailed figures. There are inner ironwork strap hinges to the lid. The exposed key levers are roof-carved. Repair History: Restored by Hugh Gough and Bronislaw Roguski in 1957 or earlier; work on key guides by John Barnes in 1964; restored by Peter Bavington in 2003.

Provenance

Bought by donor in 1957; previously bought by Hugh Gough at Sothebys.; Gift of Rodger and Lynne Mirrey, 2005.

Classification

Instrument

Clavichord

Instrument Family

Keyboard

Hornbostel Sachs Classification

314.122-4-8; musical instrument