Virginal
Category
Musical instruments, devices and recordings
Date
1600 - 1699
Materials
ebony, boxwood and cypress
Order this imageCollection
Fenton House, London
NT 1448915
Summary
Virginals, attributed to Giovanni Celestini (fl. 1587-1610), Venice, c. 1600. A rectangular virginals with a ‘false inner-outer’ painted case resting on a later green-painted trestle-type stand. Attributed to Giovanni Celestini, Venice, Italy, c1600. Both external and internal painted décor probably later. Soundboard inset with a decorative wood and parchment rose. The keyboard compass C/E short octave – f3, disposition 2x8'. Major George Henry Benton Fletcher (1866-1944) acquired the virginals after finding it in use as a carpenter's workbench in Italy (Amateur Musician 1939). He played this instrument in a televised broadcast from Alexandra Palace in 1937/8.
Provenance
Virginals, attributed to Giovanni Celestini (fl. 1587-1610), c. 1600. Acquired by Major George Henry Benton Fletcher (1866-1934) in Italy 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.