A Franco-Flemish double-manual harpsichord,
The stand of
the Franco-Flemish harpsichord
This photograph shows the stunning stand
which was made to be placed underneath the
Franco-Flemish harpsichord. The escutcheons at the summit of the legs are
ribbed and framed with elegant foliate decoration. The cabriole legs have
elaborate goat feet (cabriole means 'to leap like a goat').
There are the usual scrollwork, scallops, foliate and flower decorations carved
and moulded
into the gesso, all of which are typical of the high French roccoco. The height of the stand is
greater than normal, and raises the instrument into a slightly higher playing position
than is usual. This may have been done to accommodate the luxurious
gowns and petticoats of Mme de Pompadour, so that she could be seated normally while playing the
instrument. Visually the raised position makes the instrument look particularly striking
and imposing.
The stand is very fine and beautifully carved and gilded. However, this style of furniture would have been completely out of date in 1786 when the Empire style was all the fashion. But unlike the case of the instrument it has not been widened on the cheek side, and must therefore date to the period after the compass extension of 1786 by Barberini and Hoffmann. Clearly the stand was made specifically to co-ordinate with the Rococo style of the rest of the instrument's decoration.
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
Problems encountered in the ethical restoration of this harpsichord
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This page was last revised on 25 August 2022.