Harpsichord by Smith, W

The William Smith harpsichord in the Bate Collection, Oxford, is one of the most intriguing English keyboard instruments from the early eighteenth century. Built in London around 1720, it is the only known surviving instrument by William Smith, a maker working within the important English harpsichord tradition. The instrument is especially famous because of its possible connection with George Frideric Handel: its appearance closely resembles the harpsichord shown in Philippe Mercier’s portrait of Handel. Although there is no documentary proof that this was Handel’s own instrument, the similarities in design and decoration have led scholars to suggest that it may represent the type of harpsichord the composer used during his London career.

The harpsichord provides a rare opportunity to experience the sound world of Handel’s England. Its single manual, five-octave compass, and English construction style reflect the instruments available to composers and performers in early eighteenth-century London. With its clear, bright tone and elegant craftsmanship, the Smith harpsichord offers a fascinating link between historical performance, London’s musical life, and the craftsmanship of the period. Today it remains one of the Bate Collection’s most significant instruments, not only for its rarity but also for the mystery surrounding its possible association with one of the greatest composers of the Baroque era

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