The instrument has two 8-foot brass choirs and a compass of C-ddd. The keyboard has boxwood naturals and ebonized pear wood sharps. The structure of this unsigned harpsichord bears a close relationship to the early gravicembalo con forte e piano of Cristofori, the inventor of the first successful piano action - Jensen, 1995-1998. This harpsichord is a virtual twin save for compass and decoration to a harpsichord in the University of Leipzig collection, Leipzig 89, which has been identified by Henkel as coming from the Cristofori workshop - The Historical Harpsichord, Vol 3, Bartolomeo Cristofori as Harpsichord Maker, p.3, Hubert Henkel. Neither a false inner/outer model, nor a thin-walled cypress instrument, this harpsichord has a double-walled case of substantial strength. The interior is lined above the sound board with cypress; the case structure is largely poplar or linden which is decorated with oil paintings over an incised gesso ground..

The original jacks are largely intact; a replacement set voiced with bird quill made by Hugh Gough is currently in the instrument. This harpsichord is virtually unaltered from its original state; the left endblock has been cut to allow a semitone transposition, and the jackrail is a replacement. Minor repairs were made to the instrument by Hugh Gough when it passed through his shop in 1983.

Important new information has come to light recently concerning the provenance and decoration of this harpsichord. The case exterior decorations, the stand, and the interior lid painting are products of a re-decoration ca. 1780's. The lid interior has a painting based mainly on an original by Giandomenico Tiepolo (1727-1804), Le Menuet (1756), now at the National Museum of Art of Catalonia in Barcelona. The exterior of the case has four vedute paintings of Venice, and several flower paintings. The cabriole stand is decorated with flowers as well. The vedute and flower paintings are copies of or based on originals by Francesco Guardi (1712-1794), and are attributed to the Guardi studio in Venice, most probably to Nicolo Guardi (1715-1786) -George Knox, 2002. Similarly, the lid painting is probably part of this opus, as Nicolo and Francesco Guardi were uncles of Giandomenico Tiepolo. At least two of the originals of the paintings are ex-Colloredo Mels collection in Friuli, suggesting the possibility of a provenance involving that household.

NOTE: The information regarding the attribution of the paintings is drawn from the first draft of an article, An Italian Harpsichord: and the Search for Nicolo Guardi, by George Knox, 2002.

At left is a veduta attributed to Nicolo Guardi on the top surface of the lid flap. There are a total of four vedute scenes and several flower paintings.High resolution images of these may be seen at these links: Instrument with lid closed, with quote from Knox article.; Veduta on lid flap; Veduta on main lid; Veduta on bentside near cheek; Veduta on bentside near tail; Floral caprice on main lid; Floral caprice on bentside.The structure and architectural details of this harpsichord are examined on a separate page. Click HERE to see images and text concerning these issues.

Provenance:

Colloredo-Mels , last half of 1700's (?)

Private ownership in Washington D.C., from (?) to 1978

Hugh Gough of New York purchased the instrument at auction in Washington D.C. in 1983, prior to which it was studied and displayed at the Smithsonian beginning in1979. When it came to Mr. Gough's shop it was non-functional; he manufactured a set of replacement jacks and a jack rail, and made the instrument play again. Christabel Gough removed layers of dark varnish from the case exterior.

Current owner is harpsichordist Colin Tilney, Victoria, BC, who purchased it from Mr. Gough in 1983.

This harpsichord has been used by Mr.Tilney for numerous live concerts and recordings. The discography includes J.S. Bach: The Six English Suites, Music & Arts CD-777; Scarlatti Sonatas, Dorian DOR-90103; Harpsichord Music of Frescobaldi, Dorian DOR-90124; Bach: The SevenToccatas for Harpsichord, Dorian DOR-90115; and the recently released Jewels, Doremi DDR-71140, among others.