English bentside spinet. Five octave compass GG-g''' chromatic (61 notes). Spruce soundboard, decorated, unusually for English keyboards of this date, with gilt mouldings and painted arabesques along the edges, and carved beech bridge. Walnut, veneered pine case. The fascia is inscribed with the Latin motto: Musica Laborum Dulce Levamen (Music is a sweet relief for labours.) There is a similar instrument by Crang, dated 1753, in the Metropolitan Museum, New York. The domestic instrument which appeared with the Restoration in the 1660s, eventually supplanting the virginals, was the English bentside spinet. Featuring plain wood or veneered finishes and ornamental brasswork, spinets rejected the more flamboyant painted style which remained fashionable on the Continent throughout the eighteenth century.
V&A object number: W.16-1947.
The domestic instrument which appeared with the Restoration in the 1660s, eventually supplanting the virginals, was the English bentside spinet. Featuring plain wood or veneered finishes and ornamental brasswork, spinets rejected the more flamboyant painted style which remained fashionable on the Continent throughout the eighteenth century. Unusually for English keyboards of this date, the soundboard on this instrument is decorated with gilt mouldings and painted arabesques along the edges. The fascia is inscribed with the Latin motto: Musica Laborum Dulce Levamen (Music is a sweet relief for labours.) There is a similar instrument by Crang, dated 1753, in the Metropolitan Museum, New York.
