Two-manual harpsichord by Burkat Shudi and John Broadwood, L...

Estimate

£40,000 - £60,000

Two-manual harpsichord by Burkat Shudi and John Broadwood, London, 1785, the case of mahogany with boxwood stringing, the fascia board and cheeks of satinwood with holly and stained fruitwood stringing and mahogany crossbanding, the main lid with chased brass strap-hinges, the five-octave keyboard, FF to f3, with ivory naturals and ebony accidentals faced with boxwood mouldings, five brass-knobbed hand levers on the fascia board controlling two 8ft, one 4ft and 8ft buff stops on the lower manual and 8ft lute stop on the upper manual, and a further brass knob on the left cheek controlling the machine stop, two pedals controlling the Venetian swell and machine stop, on trestle stand with slightly tapering legs, inscribed Burkat Shudi et Johannes Broadwood / No 1045 Londini fecerunt 1785, Great Pulteney Street Golden Square, length 97.5", 248mm, width 38", 96.5cm

*Recorded by Donald Boalch, Makers of the Harpsichord and Clavichord 1440-1840, third edition, edited by Charles Mould, p624. According to Boalch, it was originally restored by Arnold Dolmetsch in 1894 for Sir Edward Burne-Jones, Bart. Boalch also records further provenance to Miss Mary Phipps, also to Mrs J.W. Mackail who put it out on long loan to Christopher Wood (1954)

**Ivory submission reference NT9DFVXD

More Information

CONDITION REPORT November 2024

Lot 2514

SHUDI AND BROADWOOD HARPSICHORD

Two manual harpsichord by Shudi and Broadwood, London, 1785

Details:

The case of mahogany with boxwood stringing, the fascia board and cheeks of satinwood with holly and stained fruitwood stringing and mahogany crossbanding, the main lid with chased brass strap-hinges.

The five-octave keyboard, FF to f3, with ivory naturals and ebony accidentals faced with boxwood mouldings. Five brass-knobbed hand levers on the fascia board controlling two 8ft, one 4ft and 8ft buff stops on the lower manual and 8ft lute stop on the upper manual, and a further brass knob on the left cheek controlling the machine stop, two pedals controlling the Venetian swell and machine stop, on trestle stand with slightly tapering legs.

Inscribed ‘Burkat Shudi et Johannes Broadwood / No 1045 Londini fecerunt 1785, Great Pulteney Street Golden Square’,

Length 97.5", 248mm, width 38", 96.5cm.

Recorded by Donald Boalch, Makers of the Harpsichord and Clavichord 1440-1840, third edition, edited by Charles Mould, p624. According to Boalch, it was originally restored by Arnold Dolmetsch in 1894 for Sir Edward Burne-Jones, Bart. Boalch also records further provenance to Miss Mary Phipps, also to Mrs J.W. Mackail who put it out on long loan to Christopher Wood (1954).

Condition:

Case twist. Numerous cracks in treble soundboard – some have fillets inserted.

2 long repaired cracks in main section of lid and horizontal crack on the right side of the front section.

The front board is a later replacement with old cracks.

Regulation and voicing required. Stops need servicing for smooth operation.

Hairline crack on bass hitch rail. Some, probably later, screws added for support in the top area of hitch rail have been poorly carried out.

Observations noted in the condition report are based on obvious signs to the naked eye from an experienced restorer. They are designed for quick analysis of their condition, leaving interested parties to carry out their own personal inspection. Please note that actions have not been removed from instruments.