Images(5)

Spinet

Date1700

Artist/Maker Stephen Keene

OriginEngland, London

MediumWalnut: main case, box guide; Spruce: soundboard, key levers; Softwoods: nameboard substrate; Oak: key-frame balance rail; Plain light hardwoods: stand (stained); Beech: pin block, nut; Fruitwood: jack bodies, bridge(?); Ebony: natural key tops ; Ivory: sharps; Brass: hinges (probably not original), lid closure escutcheon

DimensionsNet dimensions exclude lid, stand and projecting moldings. All dimensions in mm except where noted. Length: 1,655 mm (net 1,637 mm); Width: 585 mm (net 585 mm); Height: 790 mm (net 170 mm)

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1953-876,A

DescriptionCASE DECORATION: This instrument has plain figure solid walnut case sides with a rounded cap molding on top and a molding surrounding the bottom and ends. The inner rim is veneered with cedar with a horizontal grain.
KEYWELL: Cedar veneer covers the inside of the keywell, with white-black-white stringing framing a central floral marquetry cartouche. The end blocks have a scroll profile and a center stripe formed by a sandwich of white-black-white veneer.
LID: The solid walnut lid has grain running parallel to the keyboard front, with decorative brass strap hinges and flap hinges. The lock plate and hasp are replacements, but the hasp plate may be original.
STAND AND PEDALS: The turned stand has low trestles of wood similar to maple (not beech) and is molded at the top edge and near the bottom edge.
INTERNAL NOTES: There is no provision for a music desk.
COMPASS: GG/BB–d3
OCTAVES: 4 oct. + 7 notes
STOPS: none

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Spinet: This has a wing-shaped walnut case with bottom molding and a figured walnut lid. Three strap hinges attach top to case, and three shorter hinges hold the slanting keyboard flap. Inscribed on the nameboard is "Stephanus Keene/Londini Fecit". Floral marquetry in astragal-ended inlay is at center of nameboard. There are fifty-four keys, including bone sharps with embossed paper fronts and solid ivory sharp keys. The original jacks have natural quill plectra. The trestle stand consists of four turned legs and horizontal stretchers.
Label TextThe harpsichord was the most popular stringed keyboard instrument in Europe and America during much of the eighteenth century. Small, compact instruments, like the spinet harpsichord made by Stephen Keene, could be moved and stored easily and were popular in the home.
Inscribed"Stephanus Keene Londini Fecit" in ink on nameboard
Markings• "54 / E B / 1700" in ink on top key
• "J.S. Morley repaired this / instrument 1925 AD / London S.W. 7" in
ink on back of nameboard
• "Date of instrument appears / on last treble key" in ink on back of
nameboard
ProvenancePurchased in 1953 by CWF from J. George Morley, London. Judging from the inscription on the back of the nameboard, the spinet was in London, England, in 1925, when it was repaired by J.S. Morley.

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