single manual (missing), G1-f3 (originally G1-e3) | 8’ 4’ (originally 8’ 8’)
Case with understated decoration of green marble-effect paintwork. The lid and nameboard have also been decorated with green marble-effect paintwork. The soundboard has been painted with flowers and arabesques, and bears the year ‘1629’. The rose ‘I R’ (Joannes Ruckers) is authentic and is consistent with the roses used by Joannes Ruckers after 1617 for single-manual harpsichords, but, based on its format, belongs to a different instrument. This harpsichord was purchased as an instrument made by Joannes Ruckers, but in fact it was produced in the late 17th or early 18th century by an unknown Southern Netherlands (Antwerp) builder. It is an instrument with many unanswered questions. The keyboard range is unusually large, and the soundboard may not belong to the rest of the instrument. There is nothing to indicate that the case was enlarged, but the soundboard was extended on the bass and descant sides. Remnants can also be seen on the soundboard of a 4’ bridge with 45 holes. This suggests a soundboard from an instrument with a shortened octave. Does this instrument combine an anonymous case with an authentic Joannes Ruckers soundboard? Painted garland around the rose. The lid bears the initials (?) ‘P P’.
Provenance: This instrument was acquired by the Museum of Antiquities (Het Steen) between 1885 and 1892. Subsequently (?1952) transferred to the Museum Vleeshuis.
