Rectangular Virginal

European

Not on view

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.

Rectangular Virginal, Wood, various materials, European

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