A Franco-Flemish double-manual harpsichord,originally a 'transposing' harpsichord made in Antwerp in 1617 by an
unknown maker. It was given a bass ravalement in Paris sometime
between 1742 and 1750. Then, in 1750, it received a major alteration.
It was then given a bass ravalement by François Étienne Blanchet,
harpsichord maker to The King, to extend the compass down to FF with an
added peau de buffle register .
At this date is was also given a lavish vernis-martin outer decorated by François Boucher, and Christopher Huet. The painting on the inside
of the lid is attributed to Jean-Baptiste Le Prince, a pupil of François Boucher. It was given a treble ravalement in 1786 by Jacques Barberini
and Nicolas Hoffmann. Then it had a full 5-octave compass from FF to f3,
and was able to play the entire French harpsichord repertoire.
