1958.1798 Spinet, view 1
  • 1958.1798 Spinet, view 1
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Spinet

  • Category:

    Musical Instruments

  • Creator (Role):

    John Hitchcock (Maker)

  • Place of Origin:

    London, London, England, United Kingdom, Europe

  • Date:

    1750-1753

  • Materials:

    Beech; Walnut veneer; Ivory; Ebony; Brass; Iron; Walnut

  • Museum Object Number:

    1958.1798


  • Complete Details



Object Number

1958.1798

Object Name

Spinet

Category

Musical Instruments

Credit Line/Donor

Bequest of Henry Francis du Pont

Creator (Role)

John Hitchcock (Maker)

Place of Origin

London, London, England, United Kingdom, Europe

Date

1750-1753

Mark or Signature or Inscription or Label

1. Signature; Nameboard, above keyboard; "Johannes Hitchcock fecit Londini 1520" inscribed
2. Inscription; Three locations: Nameboard back, bottom key, pin block; "8"
3. Inscription; Nameboard, back; "1520"

Materials

Beech; Walnut veneer; Ivory; Ebony; Brass; Iron; Walnut

Construction Description

Woods: (microanalysis) Primary: beech (right front leg, stretchers, right top framing member of stand); walnut veneer.

Dimensions (inches)

30.5 (H) , 71.5 (W) , 27.125 (D)

Dimensions (centimeters)

77.47 (H) , 181.61 (W) , 68.898 (D)

Measurement Notes

OW and OD at top of case. Net Length: 1796 Overall Length: 1817 Net Width: Overall Width: 670 Net Height: 177

Object Description

Web - 08/20/2014

The spinet, an early member of the keyboard family with harpsichords and virginals, has 61 ebony and ivory keys within a hinged, covered keyboard and a diagonal walnut wood case enclosing layers of strings all supported by a stand with four, baluster turned legs. The walnut-veneered nameboard is inlaid with banding that encloses the maker's name, location, and instrument number "Johannes Hitchcock fecit Londini 1520" in calligraphic script. Although made in London between 1750-53, this instrument has a tradition of ownership in New England, possibly in the DeWolf and Perry families during the nineteenth century.

Bibliography and Bibliographic Notes

[Article] Mole, Peter. 2007 "The Hitchcock Spinet Makers -- a New Analysis". Galpin Society Journal. 55, 57.

[Book] Earle, Alice Morse. 1924 Colonial Dames and Good Wives. 315.
Page 226
[Book] Boalch, Donald H. 1956 Makers of the Harpsichord and Clavichord, 1440 to 1840. 169.
Pages: 50-52