Harpsichord by Couchet (the Elder)

Technical description: Case of linden or poplar, painted on the outside with flowers and conventional ornaments on a gilded ground, the interior ornamented with black scroll tracery on a gilded ground, on a stand with seven legs and lower stretchers carved and gilded; original compass and disposition was FF.GG.AA-c3, single manual, 1x8', 1x4', buff stop, underwent ravalement, probably in the late 17th century, to FF.GG-c3, double manual, 2x8', 1x4', dog-leg, cut-through lute register (plucks longer 8' choir); ivory naturals with gilded fronts, dark-stained accidentals, key frames normal for Ruckers except that key dip is controlled by padding underneath front o keys rather than by overhead rail at the rack; beech jacks with bristle springs and quill plectra, leather-covered slides and guides, registers moved by brass knobs that protrude through the cheek; soundboard decorated with gold arabesques and gilded cast metal rose. Credit  (Douglas Maple 1983)