A Franco-Flemish double-manual harpsichord, originally a 'transposing' harpsichord made in Antwerp in 1617, possibly by Frans van Huffel.  It was given a bass ravalement in Paris in 1750 by François Étienne Blanchet and it was later given a treble ravalement in 1786 by Jacques Barberini and Nicolas Hoffmann.

 

The interior lid flap painting showing the treble extension.

This shows the interior painting of the lid flap after cleaning but before restoration.  The extension at the top was made in 1786 when the compass was extended upwards by 3 notes from d3 to f3.  The join in the wood where the extension was made is clearly visible.

 

Return to the section on the eighteenth-century history of the Franco-Flemish harpsichord

 

Return to the section on the description of the Franco-Flemish harpsichord