Keyed guitar

attributed to Christian Claus, Longman and Broderip, c. 1785

In the late 18th century, mass-production methods made instruments accessible to a large audience. This guitar is an example of this development and was conceived as a portable equivalent of a keyboard instrument for fashionable ladies. Its piano-key mechanism activates small hammers that strike the strings. This simplified the playing technique and protected the women’s fingertips.

  • Artwork typemusical instrument, stringed instrument, guitar, English guitar, keyed guitar
  • Object numberBK-NM-5491
  • Dimensionslength 72 cm x width 30.5 cm x depth 11.5 cm
  • Physical characteristicsspruce, maple, palisander, mahogany, metal, bone

Identification

  • Title(s)

    Keyed guitar

  • Object type

  • Object number

    BK-NM-5491

  • Description

    Pianoforte gitaar met zes toetsen. Op het blad staat rondom het Engelse wapen 'PATENT INSTRUMENT ONLY INVESTOR. Op de plaats van het galmgat, in zwart een ster in versierde rand. Achter de kam: SOLD BY LONGMAN AND BRODERIP.

Creation

  • Creation

    • musical instrument maker: attributed to Christian Claus, London
    • winkelbedrijf: Longman and Broderip, London

  • Dating

    c. 1785

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Material and technique

  • Physical description

    spruce, maple, palisander, mahogany, metal, bone

  • Dimensions

    length 72 cm x width 30.5 cm x depth 11.5 cm

Acquisition and rights

Documentation

  • L.G. Langwill, 'Musikinstrumenten-Sammlung des Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam ausgestellt im Gemeente Museum, Den Haag 9. Oktober - 24. November 1952', Glareana: Nachrichten der Gesellschaft der Freunde alter Musikinstrumente 2, nr. 2 (1953), p. 1-3: 2

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  • Keyed guitar
  • Keyed guitar
  • Keyed guitar
  • Keyed guitar