A Franco-Flemish double-manual harpsichord, originally a 'transposing' harpsichord made in Antwerp in 1617, possibly by Frans van Huffel.  It was given a bass ravalement in Paris in 1750 by François Étienne Blanchet and it was later given a treble ravalement in 1786 by Jacques Barberini and Nicolas Hoffmann.

 

 

Detail of the foot of one of the legs of the harpsichord stand

 

 

          This photographs shows a detail of the goat's-foot of one of the legs of the stunningly-beautiful stand under this harpsichord.  It shows an example of the wonderful carving and gilding typical of the workmanship of all of the rest of the stand.  As can be seen there is even undercutting at the back of the foot - a detail that is virtually hidden and a luxury that remains almost un-noticed.

          This photograph was taken before the stand was cleaned and restored.

 

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Important Features of this harpsichord

 

A brief history of the musical and decorative states of the Franco-Flemish harpsichord

 

Details of the original state of the instrument

 

Details of the eighteenth-century states of this harpsichord

  

 Details of the modern history of this harpsichord

 

 A problem encountered in the ethical restoration of this harpsichord

 

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