GAVEAU HARPSICHORD - Chris Maene

GAVEAU HARPSICHORD, Paris, 1912

The success of the Érard and Pleyel harpsichords inspired the Parisian piano manufacturer Gaveau to establish a department for historical keyboard instruments in 1911. To design and build these instruments, they enlisted Arnold Dolmetsch, one of the most important pioneers in the revival of the harpsichord at the beginning of the 20th century. He had previously gained experience restoring and building harpsichords in England, and from 1905 to 1911 he worked at the piano company Chickering & Sons in Boston, where he was responsible for the department of historical keyboard instruments.

At Gaveau, between 1911 and 1914, he built around forty instruments (clavichords, spinets, and harpsichords). The collaboration with Gaveau came to an abrupt end in 1914 due to the First World War. Original instruments bearing the “Gaveau-Dolmetsch” label are extremely rare and are considered outstanding museum pieces. This rare 1912 example with serial number 17 is, to date, the oldest surviving double-manual Gaveau/Dolmetsch harpsichord.

This instrument was once the property of Violet Gordon-Woodhouse (1872–1948), a highly renowned British harpsichord virtuoso. She famously rivalled the legendary Wanda Landowska.

Technical data:

Inscription: FAIT.PAR.GAVEAU.A.PARIS.MDCCCCXII. N° 17

Compass: two 5 octave keyboards (FF-f''')

Keyboard: naturals in ebony with gilded arcades, sharps in ivory capped

Pedals: 6 controlling 4 rows of jacks (1x16', 2x8', 1x4' and ad jeu de luth)

Dimensions: L 212 cm / W 97 cm

Case: walnut with three cast brass lid strap hinges and two pairs of flap hinges

Serial number: 17

Literature: The Collt Clavier Collection Goldon Jubilee 1944-1981. p. 33, (127) H105GF

Chris Maene Collection number: CM 47 341

Condition: original condition

Location: 2 - Museum "Chris Maene Collection" Ruiselede