An unfretted (bundfrei) clavichord by Marcus Gabriel Sonderm...

Hammer

£13,000

An unfretted (bundfrei) clavichord by Marcus Gabriel Sondermann, Rendsburg, 1805, the exterior of the case painted brick red with gilt mouldings, the interior also painted brick red, the five-octave keyboard, FF to f3, with bone naturals and ebony accidentals, double strung throughout, on four square tapering legs, inscribed on the soundboard Marcus Gabriel Sondermann, Rendsburg 1805. Length 174cm, width 53cm
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*Only one instrument by Sondermann, also a clavichord dated 1796, is recorded in Donald Boalch’s Makers of the Harpsichord and Clavichord, 1440-1840. This instrument is in the Danish Music Museum, Copenhagen
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**Formerly sold at Sotheby’s on 16 November 2000, lot 328

More Information

The case exterior completely repainted since the Sotheby’s sale in 2000. The action requires some attention. At present very little vibrato is achievable.