Polygonal Virginal converted to a Tangent Piano

Franciscus Bonafinis

1585 or 1587; converted in 1717 · Cypress, ebony, ivory, various materials · Musical Instruments

Technical description: Pentagonal cypress inner case with softwood bottom, cypress soundboard with fine parchment-backed cypress-veneer rose, nameboard cut down slightly and possibly not original (lap-joint in center), moldings and name board studded with ivory buttons, panel above nameboard decorated with applied ornaments (many missing) of later origin; rectangular lidded outer case (probably later) painted red with ornamental scrollwork, festooned masks, birds and animals, having lidded triangular compartments along back and right side, with a framed fabric pentagonal panel (later) serving as dust cover; compass: c/e-a3 (no g#3), assumed pitch 4' (41 keys); bone naturals, ebony accidentals, black and white ivory studs at rear ends of key covers; jack rail missing but brackets present; oblong unpierced tuning pins; virginal jacks removed and replaced with leather-topped "tangents" or free jacks that strike and rebound from strings; 8 additional tangents found in an outer case compartment; 4 of these, of different wood than the others, are unleathered and have tiny leather dampers supported by brass wire.

Artist

Franciscus Bonafinis

Date

1585 or 1587; converted in 1717

Medium

Cypress, ebony, ivory, various materials

Culture

Italian

Department

Musical Instruments

Credit line

The Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments, 1889