TMS Project final images\1980-187\1980-187,A.mp3

Chamber Organ

Date1782

MediumMahogany: case; Softwoods: pipes, secondary wood; Oak: caps for wooden pipes, pallets; Ebony: sharps; Ivory: natural tops; Leather: bellows joints and gussets, pallet covers; Parchment: hinges for keys, covering for conductor boards; Lead alloy: tuning flaps; Brass: pallet springs, case handles, stop knobs; Gold: facade pipe gilding; Iron: pumping hardware

DimensionsNet dimensions exclude lid, stand and projecting moldings. All dimensions in mm except where noted. Depth: 488 mm; Width: 977 mm; Height: 2,050 mm

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1980-187,A

DescriptionCASE DECORATION: The lower section of the mahogany case has moldings forming two frames with indented corners. The mahogany upper front panel has five flats of gilded wooden faux pipes. A broken pediment has dental molding and a lattice-pierced tympanum. Brass handles on the side are for moving the instrument.
INTERNAL NOTES: The case encloses (from bottom to top) the feeder bellows, reservoir, pallet box, wind-chest, keyboard, and pipes. Some of the treble 2-foot pipes are perched above others on an offset toe board.
COMPASS: CC–e3 (5 octaves + 4 notes)
STOPS: Four draw knobs: left pair for 8-foot stopped diapason and fifteenth (bass), and right pair for fifteenth (treble) and flute (4-foot). An echo pedal removes stopped diapason and flute stops. The fifteenth is split treble and bass at b/c1 (middle c).
Inscribed"W-H 1782" “W-H” cut into and “1782” stamped on bung board
ProvenanceBelonged to Arthur Ackerman & Son, Inc., Chicago, in 1930; purchased by CWF in Chicago from Sotheby Parke Bernet, Inc.

Exhibition(s)