Clavichord
Dolmetsch
Category
Musical instruments, devices and recordings
Date
1925
Materials
Ivory, ebony and walnut
Measurements
375 mm (Width) x 136 mm (Depth); 1125 mm (Length)
Place of origin
Haslemere
Collection
Fenton House, London
NT 1448917
Summary
Clavichord, Arnold Dolmetsch (1858-1940), Haslemere, 1925. An unfretted clavichord inscribed on the fascia Arnold Dolmetsch Anno MCMXXV and inscribed internally Arnold Dolmetsch, Haslemere, Dec. 23. 1925. The case of walnut resting on its original walnut stand. The lid inscribed with the Latin motto Plus Fait Douceur Que Violence – ‘More is achieved through gentleness than violence’. An unattached walnut lid prop-stick to the interior. The soundboard decoration by Mabel Dolmetsch (1874-1963) in egg tempera. The keyboard compass C – d3. Owned and played by a pupil of Dolmetsch, Dorothy Swainson, one of the earliest professional clavichordists of the 20th century.
Provenance
Clavichord, by Arnold Dolmetsch (1858-1940), 1925. Owned by Dorothy Swainson, then by descent to her niece, Janet Leeper. Transferred to the National Trust in 1960.
Marks and inscriptions
PLUS FAIT DOUCEUR QUE VIOLENCE
Makers and roles
Dolmetsch , musical instrument maker