Images(2)

Spinet

Date1725-1740

Artist/Maker John Woolfinden

MediumWalnut: sides (except spine); Beech: replacement pin block, box guide, jack tongues, bridge, nut, stand (stained); Spruce: soundboard; Maple or Sycamore: inscription inlay, jack bodies (replacements); Softwoods: nameboard substrate, bottom, spine, key levers; Plain light hardwoods: key fronts; Rosewood(?): veneer on nameboard, jack-rail brackets, spine inner rim; Ebony: sharp veneer; Ivory: natural key tops; Brass: Hinges, lid hook, lock escutcheon; Iron: key balance pins, tuning pins (replacements); stand bolts

DimensionsNet dimensions exclude lid, stand and projecting moldings. All dimensions in mm except where noted. Length: 1,861 mm (net 1,854 mm); Width: 722 mm (net 717 mm); Height: 873 mm (net 174 mm)

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1937-260,A

DescriptionCASE DECORATION: The case is solid walnut with a double-curved bent side and softwood spine. A molding surrounds the bottom of the case and continues vertically at the ends nearest the spine. The primary focus of the decoration is the interior: the inner rim of the spine has vertical-grain rosewood(?) veneer with two horizontal lines of white stringing (now missing from the other parts of the inner rim). One lid hook is near the keyboard end of the bent side.
KEYWELL: The keywell is veneered with vertical-grain rosewood(?) and light-wood string inlay forming an overall border and pairs of half round figures flanking the lozenge-ended inscription inlay. The end blocks have a scroll-shaped profile.
LID: The lid is ornamented with a prominent mariner's compass design inlaid on the underside. The top and bottom of the lid is bordered with plain white string inlay. The pierced strap and flap hinges and lock escutcheon are brass. The edges are thumb-molded on top and have a cove cut into the lower edge in addition to a (probably replaced) drip molding.
STAND AND PEDALS: The untapered legs of the stand may indicate the stand is later.
COMPASS: GG–g3
OCTAVES: 5 oct.
STOPS: none
Inscribed"John Woolfinden Fecit" in ink on nameboard
Markings• "3" in pen on the top of the front rail of the keyboard and on the top of the bottom board just below.
ProvenancePurchased by CWF in 1937 from New York antiques dealer Frank Partridge, Inc.

Exhibition(s)