Rectangular Virginal

Unknown

19th century · Wood, various materials · Musical Instruments

This very roughly made octave virginal may have been a toy when first constructed. It was probably built in the late 19th century, centuries after this type of instrument had been popular. Technical description: false inner-outer case construction, interior veneer and soundboard of cypress, outer case of painted deal; compass c2/e2-c4 (?--absolute pitch is uncertain), boxwood naturals, keyfronts missing, black-stained accidentals, three-rail keyframe, padded front rail controls key dip, rack-guided keys; jacks guided by slots in soundboard and separate lower guide; a crude gilded parchment rose is in the soundboard.

Artist

Unknown

Date

19th century

Medium

Wood, various materials

Culture

European

Department

Musical Instruments

Credit line

Gift of Bernardus Boekelman, 1911