double manual (missing), G1/B1-c3 (lower manual) and C/E-c3 (upper manual) (originally perhaps C/E-f3 (lower manual) and C/E-c3 (upper manual)), transposing harpsichord | 8’ 4’
Case with understated decoration of russet marble-effect paintwork. The lid interior has been decorated using printed paper and the maxim ‘CONCORDIA RES PARVAE CRESCVNT DISCORDIA MAXIMAE DILABVNTVR’ painted with flowers and animals. The lid flap has been decorated using printed paper and the maxim ‘OMNIS SPIRITVS LAVDET DOMINVM’. The soundboard has been painted with flowers, fruit and birds. The rose is missing, but the decoration indicates Andreas Ruckers (I). Painted garland around the rose opening. Both manuals have been lost: the lower manual with 50 keys and the upper manual with 45 keys; only one key has survived. The jack rail is missing. Nevertheless, because it has been left in virtually its original condition, the information that this instrument provides to us is of great value. Since 2013 it has come under the protection of the Flemish Masterpieces Decree. One key and two keyboard frames are kept separately.
Provenance: This instrument may come from the collection of sculptor Theodorus Verbruggen, who sold it to the St. James’ Church (Sint-Jacobskerk) in 1674. Between 1863 and 1876 it ended up as an anonymous donation in the collection held by the Museum of Antiquities (Het Steen). Transferred to the Museum Vleeshuis c. 1952.
