Psaltery or dulcimer

Battaglia, Antonio, 1769

The dulcimer was played using hand-held hammers and may thus be seen as the forerunner of the piano. The variable dynamics and magical expression of the so-called Pantalon, the giant dulcimer invented by Pantaleon Hebenstreit (1668–1750), inspired many harpsichord makers to find hammer actions for their instruments. This small instrument belonged to Stadtholder Willem v.

  • Artwork typemusical instrument, stringed instrument, dulcimer
  • Object numberBK-NM-11430-20
  • Dimensionswidth 75.2 cm x diameter 35.5 cm x height 9.0 cm