Spinet

Object/Artifact

Historic Charleston Foundation

Spinet overall

Name/Title

Spinet

Entry/Object ID

2001.008.001

Description

Spinet Spinet, Mahogany Veneer and Brass Hinges. 18th Century Anonymous Spinet with Stand. Trestle Stand of Three Legs. Original To Mulberry Plantation. Possibly English, circa 1770-1780, unknown maker, case possibly spruce, sides veneered with figured mahogany panels and lightwood stringing with crossbanding, grain of crossbanding remains vertical in most cases, having butt joints throughout, bottom wood deal, soundboard quartered spruce, jackrail rim is mahogany veneered with single string inlay, decorative brasses are in English tradition and the type used on spinets of the period. All strap hings and other brasses are type used in English design. Inside cheeks of keywell veneered with mahognay and single inlay forming triangular design; approximately 36 ivory keys, 23 black shaprs, possibly from charring. Hinged lid having beaded edge, entire case having molded edge including all corners; left front panel adjacent to keyboard slightly bowed, when keyboard closed top fitted with brass hinge and escutcheon, also having brass "S" shaped latch attached to right side of body for securing keyboard. Raised on three solid mahogany "T" shaped legs with single stretcher.

Collection

Historic Charleston Foundation Collection

Acquisition

Accession

2001.008.

Source or Donor

Gilbert, Parker and Gail

Acquisition Method

Gift

Credit Line

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Parker Gilbert

Made/Created

Date made

1770 - 1780

Place

Location

England

Lexicon

Nomenclature 4.0

Nomenclature Tertiary Object Term

Spinet

Nomenclature Secondary Object Term

Piano

Nomenclature Primary Object Term

Instrument, Keyboard

Nomenclature Sub-Class

Musical Instruments

Nomenclature Class

Musical T&E

Nomenclature Category

Category 06: Tools & Equipment for Communication

Other Names and Numbers

Other Numbers

Number Type

Old Number

Other Number

2001.8.1

Dimensions

Height

32-3/4 in

Depth

49-1/2 in

Length

75-1/4 in

Location

Room

304

Building

Nathaniel Russell House

Date

February 7, 2023

Location

Building

NRH 301

Moved By

JBK

Date

March 19, 2002

Notes

Until: / /

Location

Building

NR 304

Condition

Overall Condition

Fair

Notes

See Keyboard Instrument Organology Report, 16 August 2001, Prepared By John R. Watson, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.

Overall Condition

Fair

Notes

Three white ivories missing and three mahogany moldings behind ivory keys missing, some replaced, name batten missing, book desk missing, approximately 7.5 inches of molding missing upper right body, pin hinges all missing, jack rail hook and eye missing, sound board badly split and has poor repairs, legs show signs of wear.

Conservation

Treatment

Conservator

Alice Patrick, appraiser

Relationships

Related Publications

Notes

"Southern Interiors of Charleston, South Carolina" Samuel Chamberlain and Narcissa Chamberlain. Edited By Narcissa Chamberlain. New York: Hasting House, 1956. Pg. 153 Photograph of Spinet in Drawing Room At Mulberry Plantation, Detail (Above0 and Room Shot (Right). Spinet Is Identified As Harpsichord.

Provenance

Notes

Last Owner: Mulberry Plantation

General Notes

Note

Notes: [photo] __[slide] __[transparency] __[other] Status: OK Location Details1: 1

Created By

admin@catalogit.app

Create Date

March 19, 2002

Updated By

sferguson@historiccharleston.org

Update Date

March 30, 2023