Harpsichord
Abraham Kirkman (1737 - 1794)
Category
Musical instruments, devices and recordings
Date
1777
Materials
ebony, mahogany, burr walnut, ivory, gilt and boxwood
Measurements
780 mm (Width)
Order this imageCollection
Fenton House, London
NT 1448909
Summary
Harpsichord, Jacob (1710-92) and Abraham (1737-94) Kirckman, London, 1777. A double-manual harpsichord inscribed on the fascia batten Jacob et Abraham Kirckman Londini Fecerunt 1777. The case veneered with mahogany, inlaid with decorative lines and resting on a late 1970s reproduction stand by Adlam Burnett. Fitted with a reproduction interior music desk (possibly by Dolmetsch) and the original soundboard inset with Kirckman’s ‘third design’ gilt lead rose. Furnished with one lid prop-stick and its original detachable ‘fallboard’. Keyboard compass FF (less FF#) – f3, disposition lute, 2x8' and 1x4' with buff (‘harp’) stop, pedal-operated machine stop and pedal-operated ‘nag’s head’ swell.
Provenance
Harpsichord, Jacob (1710-92) and Abraham (1737-94) Kirckman, 1777. Acquired by Major George Henry Benton Fletcher (1866-1944) between 1930 and 1937, and described in the Old Devonshire House catalogue 1938 and in Amateur Musician 1939. Transferred to the National Trust in February 1938.
Marks and inscriptions
JACOBUS ET ABRAHAM KIRCKMAN LONDINI FACERUNT 1777
Makers and roles
Abraham Kirkman (1737 - 1794), musical instrument maker Jacob Kirkman (1710 - 1792), musical instrument maker