Venetian Virginal (Harpsichord)

Dating to the late 16th century, keyboard musical instruments in the shape of a small spinet were very popular in the late Renaissance period and especially appreciated for their pleasant and harmonious sound.

The artefact presents a rich decorative scheme on both the interior and exterior, on a lacquered base coat that runs across the entire wooden case: with cartouche motifs and swirl designs traced in gold on a black ground. The white keys, made of bone and ebony, are also adorned with gold lettering and arabesque decorations. The stand, by contrast, is constructed from the assembly of wooden blocks; the soundboard still presents the chords, the jacks and all the useful components for the utilisation of the instrument.

The restoration, completed at the end of 2025, was conducted thanks to the support of the Boston Chapter of Save Venice Inc., under the supervision of the Soprintendenza Archeologia Belle Arti e Paesaggio per il Comune di Venezia e Laguna (Office for the Protection of Architectural, Natural, Historic, Artistic and Ethno-Anthropological Heritages in Venice and Its Lagoon).

THE HISTORY

In terms of style and chronology, the artefact has been compared to another highly refined specimen, preserved at the Royal College of Music in London, signed by Giovanni Celestini in Venice in 1593, it dates to the same period as the Cini artefact.

Purchased by Vittorio Cini in 1938 from antiquarian Antonio Carrer, the Virginal was later collocated in the Castle of Monselice’s hall of honour, as documented in the 1940 volume by Nino Barbantini dedicated to the ancient monumental complex.

THE RESTORATION

Preliminary analysis prior to the conservation revealed the presence of superficial deposits and overpainting of the damaged areas, which over time had been integrated in the varnish layers, obscuring gilding and iridescent lacquers. In addition to the breakage of the main lid, traces of a past infestation by wood-boring insects were identified. The restoration focused on recovering the original paint layer and its varnish, cleaning and intervening on minor fractures and abrasions.