Virginal by Guarracino, O
Maker:
Guarracino, O
Number of manuals:
One
Year:
1694
Museum:
National Music Museum, North America
Date Range
1650-1700
Current Location:
North America
Material:
Maple
Painter:
Pedals:
Catalogue Number:
BMO-2406
Origin:
Italy
Type:
Virginal
Onofrio Guarracino (born 1627/8, active until 1698), was the most notable and prolific harpsichord maker in seventeenth-century Naples. With its rectangular maple case, dovetailed corners, and its wrest plank placed to the left, behind the jacks, this virginal is typical of the distinctive Neapolitan school of harpsichord making, which had flourished since the early sixteenth century.
Compass: C/E-c3 (45 notes), short octave.
One set of strings, tuned one octave above normal pitch.
Case made of maple. Separate outer case (not original) of walnut.
Fine geometcial parchment rose.
Keys: natural keytops of ivory. Sharps of ebony.
Regency-style stand not original.