Italian Virginal
date: label: date made
content: 1675 - 1699
notes: label: Description (Brief)
content: This harpsichord was made by an unknown maker in Italy, around the last quarter of 17th century. It is a polygonal virginal with a compass of C/E - f3, and a disposition of 1 x 8’. This instrument has a cypress soundboard, and boxwood naturals and ebony accidentals. The soundboard is inscribed: “VITA BREVIS ARS LONGA” (life is short, art is long). The outer edge and jack rail are decorated with ivory studs. The soundboard contains a 3-1/8” diameter parchment rose.
label: Description (Brief)
content: The separable outer case is painted black with arabesques in gold paint. The interior of the lid is painted with a cartouche in the center with a tree, flanked by two standing figures holding plant stalks, two figures seated on swans, and two winged figures at the sides. Research indicates that the painted surfaces could be original to the period with some over painting. The harpsichord has a table stand with six turned legs attached to a base, probably not original to the instrument.
label: Location
content: Currently not on view
place: label: place made
content: Italy
setName: label: See more items in
content: Culture and the Arts: Musical Instruments
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content: Music & Musical Instruments
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content: Harpsichords
creditLine: label: Credit Line
content: Gift of Hugo Worch
dataSource: label: Data Source
content: National Museum of American History
identifier: label: ID Number
content: MI.303544
label: accession number
content: 62559
label: catalog number
content: 303544
objectType: label: Object Name
content: harpsichord
physicalDescription: label: Physical Description
content: wood (overall material)
label: Physical Description
content: paint (overall material)
label: Physical Description
content: metal (overall material)
label: Physical Description
content: quill (plectra material)
label: Measurements
content: instrument: 8 3/4 in x 64 5/8 in x 1575 in; 22.225 cm x 164.1475 cm x 4000.5 cm
label: Measurements
content: overall: harpsichord: 8 3/4 in x 70 in x 23 1/4 in; 22.225 cm x 177.8 cm x 59.055 cm