The instrument has metal strings, one for each tone, which are twanged by means of small portions of quill, attached to slips of wood called “jacks,” and provided with thin metal springs. Its construction is therefore similar to that of the spinet and harpischord. Crowquills were most commonly used in the construction of such instruments; but other materials, as for instance leather, whalebone, and even elastic strips of metal, were occasionally adopted instead.
Fig. 63.—Spinet. Made by Annibale dei Rossi of Milan. Italian. Dated 1577. H. 11¼ in., L. 58¼ in., W. 22¼ in. No. 809-’69.
Victoria and Albert Museum.
Fig. 64.—Spinet. Signed “Johannes Player fecit.” English. About 1700. L. 59 in., W. 22½ in. No. 466-’82.
Victoria and Albert Museum.
Fig. 65.—Clavichord. Inscribed “Barthold Fritz fecit, Braunschweig, anno 1751.” German. 18th century. H. 31 in., L. 70½ in., W. 22½ in. No. 339-’82.
Victoria and Albert Museum.