Name of Instrument: harpsichord

Maker / Brand: attrib G. Ferrini or Bartolomeo Cristofori (through Franciolini)

Stearns Catalog #: 1332

Country of Origin: Italy

Region of Origin: Europe

Instrument Category: Chordophone

Date of Fabrication: 1693

Location: CHO HH 2

Description: This instrument comes to the Stearns Collection from a highly questionable source--Leopoldo Franciolini. Many Franciolini instruments are forgeries or interesting hybrids of original instruments and scrap wood. It was formerly attributed to J.B. Giusti, however, Dr. David Sutherland has identified it as very likely being one of four extant Giovanni Ferrini harpsichords; it was probably built around 1750. Ferrini was an apprentice and long-time assistant to Bartolomeo Cristofori, the great 18th Century keyboard maker of Italy and inventor of the piano.

Research: Stearns Staff