Folding harpsichord, Rijk van Arkel, 1768
mahogany (wood), h 14.0cm × w 73.0cm × l 99.0cm More details
In Paris, 1699, Jean Marius claimed the invention of the folding harpsichord. It was convenient for travelling. The two smaller sections, at right and centre, are hinged and can be closed to form a single long unit which is then folded over the left-hand part. The famous castrato Farinelli owned two such harpsichords, as well as five normal harpsichords and a grand piano.
