Clavichord by Lemme, F

1 manual, F1–a3, 8'8', F1–A,4'. The case is in the ‘oval-round shape’ devised by Lemme, with long straight sides and short sides curved outwards; maximum width 1773 (1800) mm, width at the keyboard wall to the start of the rounded short sides 1534 mm, depth 527 (539) mm, height 189 mm, height with lid 201 mm, with stand 772 to 775 mm, keyboard height 712 mm. Base made of pine, 32 mm thick. Sides made of spruce, veneered on both sides with oak, 15 to 17.5 mm thick, with exposed finger joints; the outer veneer was glued on only after assembly, thereby covering the finger joints; a mitred round moulding on the upper edge; the sides rest on the base panel. Lid made of oak, smooth, with a moulded edge at the top and an overlapping moulded strip at the bottom; on the back panel, two brass strips, probably original; on the keyboard flap, four brass strap hinges, possibly replaced; the front flap is loose, held in place only by two bolts, plus a lock, all made of brass and original. Three hinges are recessed into the upper edge of the back panel; their purpose is as yet unknown (see also No. 29). The soundboard is made of pine, 17 mm thick, double-curved, with a semi-circular soundhole, 220 mm wide and 32 mm high. In the keyboard compartment, a stabilising strip of pine, running parallel to the strings, 28 mm wide, 49 mm high, original; in the soundboard, two under-soundboard ribs, the first of which runs towards the balance beam as far as the right-hand side panel, the second from the attachment strip to the first under-soundboard rib

Credit: Uni of Leipzig