Harpsichord by Kirckman, J

In design, construction, and disposition, the Kirckman harpsichord of 1798 is of the standard English model, already to be found in a surviving harpsichord by Hermann Tabel made in 1721. It has the typical two-manual disposition of five-octave FF-f3 compass (61 notes), lower manual with 8’ and 4’ registers, a "dogleg" 8’ shared by both keyboards, a nasal ("lute") 8’ on the upper, and a buff stop to the lower-manual 8’. There are two pedals: a machine stop and a Venetian swell. The machine stop, as it is pressed down, turns off the 4’ and dogleg 8’ registers while the lower-manual solo 8’ remains in the on position and the upper-manual nasal 8’ is engaged. With the swell pedal, the player can control the volume by opening and closing a set of louvers over the soundboard. This instrument, with its palette of color much wider than that offered by the typical French or Italian harpsichord, epitomizes the bold, rich tone for which English harpsichords have long been noted.

The name Kirkman had many different spellings.  For ease of search, this website is using one spelling.  For precise spelling on this instrument please consult the location.