Keyed guitar

attributed to Claus, Christian, 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 characteristicssparren-, esdoorn-, palissander- en mahoniehout, metaal, bot

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.
Catalogue reference
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

Creation

Creation
- musical instrument maker: attributed to Claus, Christian, London
- winkelbedrijf: Longman and Broderip, London
Dating
c. 1785
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Material and technique

Physical description
sparren-, esdoorn-, palissander- en mahoniehout, metaal, bot
Material
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

Persistent URL

To refer to this object, please use the following persistent URL:
https://id.rijksmuseum.nl/20063278