Harpsichord, Andreas Ruckers (I), 1627

Harpsichord, Andreas Ruckers (I), 1627

poplar, spruce, oak, bone, ivory, paper, metal, h 92cm × w 69.7cm × d 125.5cm More details

This exceptionally small harpsichord sounds a fifth above normal pitch and is the only one of its kind to have survived. The Flemish Ruckers family, perhaps the most famous harpsichord makers of all time, produced instruments richly ornamented with paintings as well as with simpler printed paper decoration, like the one here. The soundboard is painted with floral and bird motifs in tempera.

On display in room 2.4 Visit via the Music tour

Listen to audio fragment (from the multimedia tour)

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