The Complete List / Antique Instruments

We are pleased to offer the following antique keyboard instruments for sale, backed by over 32 years of activity in the early keyboard field. With each instrument we will attempt to provide you with as detailed a provenance as possible.

Our current offerings:

#2326 NY (Antique case with modern action)
Challis single manual harpsichord, unusual large compass of 6 octaves, 73 notes, FF - f''''. 8', 8', buff with three pedals, non transposing. Early nineteenth century English case of fine hardwood in excellent condition with handsome late Georgian style legs. Modern action, installed by Challis circa 1970. 77" x 44 1/2". $5000

#2556 HCH
Fortepiano by John Broadwood, 1795; 61 notes, FF - f'''. Professionally serviced and restored by Robert Smith, Boston. The instrument was played in the PBS television series "The Adams Family Chronicle". Currently in need of action work and regulation. Instrument has all original strings but two and all original hammers. As such it is one of the few remaining 18th-century Broadwood squares with original strings. Detail of soundboard. $10,000.

#2343 HCH - Sold
Dolmetsch Chickering harpsichord, 1908, serial # 52. A magnificent, historically significant harpsichord by Arnold Dolmetsch. This instrument was built by Dolmetsch at the Chickering factory in Boston, Massachusetts in 1908. Click here for further information. $16,300

#2785 HCH (shown above)
Double by Robert Morley and Co. Ltd., London, circa 1982. Case exterior by John Broadwood, London, 1793. 8', 8', 4', lute and buff. 61 notes, FF to f''', non-transposing. Ivory naturals and ebony accidentals. This is a modern Morley instrument, handsomely set in an antique mahogany case decorated in panels of satinwood, kingwood, mahogany, etc. with two-color stringing and the original fine brass strap hinges. Plastic jacks. Nameboard inscribed "Johannes Broadwood Londini Fecit 1793 Patent / Great Pultney Street Golden Square". Listed in Boalch III as “BROADWOOD, J. 1793 (2)". $19,900

#2163 UK (Antique case with modern action).
After Kirckman. 8', 8', 4', buff and "nag's head" swell. 60 notes FF,GG - f'''. Case is that of an original Kirckman, circa 1772, of mahogany with boxwood stringing, burred walnut panels and tulip wood banding. Lovely brass hardware. Stand is a modern copy. Action and soundboard are modern, done by Roy Knowles of York, England in 1984. Meticulously maintained, with a recent overhaul by Clifford West, the leading Kirckman authority in The UK. Instrument will receive a final check over and servicing (included in price) by Mr. West before shipping to assure satisfaction. Price recently lowered to £11,765 ($21,832

#2731 HCH (shown above)
Now in our Massachusetts Gallery. Beautiful original (ca.1600's) Italian antique case in good condition, gessoed and gilded with painted panels on all surfaces showing medallions, garlands, putti and mythological animals. Includes elaborately sculpted stand. Inside is an Italian instrument by Eric Herz, 1982 in cherry. 49 note C - c"' - 8’, 8’ keyboard of bone with ebony sharps. A visually stunning setting for a fine modern instrument. Detail #1of lid painting. Detail #2of lid painting.$24,500

#2539 HCH
English Bentside Spinet, 1731 by Krickhof; 58 notes; GG - e''' ; strung in brass and iron; nameboard reads: "Friderick Krickhof Londini Fecit 1731". Original bone keyboard with skunk tailed sharps and original 1731 strapwork hinges. Restoration by Peter Redstone, former Musical Instrument Conservator to the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. Redstone observes, in his notes on the instrument that this is the earliest known English bentside spinet made in the Flemish manner. His report is available to interested parties. $25,000.

#2363CA (shown above)
Fortepiano by G. Hedrich/Guggenberger, Naples, Italy, circa 1820; FF - f'''' six octaves, A430. First restored in 1979 by Bartolomeo Formentelli in Piedemonte, Italy; it was acquired by the current owner in 1983, and additional restoration was performed by John Phillips; In 1990, a major overhaul was performed by Paul Poletti. $35,000. For more information and an audio sample (3.3MB), please click here.

#2509 HCH (shown above)
Antique English bentside spinet circa 1735. 58 notes, GG - f''', lacking the bottom G sharp. Built during the reign of George II, this well preserved instrument has a mahogany case with unusual ebony and boxwood stringing in the lid, keywell and on the jackrail. The bentside is veneered with a flame figure and the lid bears the original pierced brass strap hinges. The matching stand is modern. $30,000 / offer

#2857 MA Photos to be posted shortly
Fortepiano made in Italy by Carlo Arnoldi, circa the late 1780s, restoration work, 2008 by Tim Hamilton, Boston. Five octaves, FF - f'''. Keyboard and direct action with no escapement work well and appear to be original. Original dampers were missing and a new set were made using the existing casework mounting positions and knee lever as a guide. The piano was restrung in Rose wire and is at present tuned to A430 hz. A music desk was made. The case is Pine veneered in Cherry with Walnut cross banding and Maple or Boxwood stringing. The spine is unfinished. The piano stands on four legs, one an old replacement and one newer. The finish is of some age. There seem to be some three or four Arnoldi fortepianos in the Rome Museum of Musical Instruments and at least one other in private hands in Italy. Length 76" (1930 mm.) Width 35" (895 mm.) Playing height 27.5" (700 mm.) Octave span 6.25" (159 mm.) $35,000

#2571 NC
Antique fortepiano labeled "Richter & Bechman, Copenhavn" built circa 1815-1820. 73 notes FF-f'''' Probably an anonymous Viennese export piano furnished with the dealer's name, this is an exquisite example, in mint condition of the Biedermeier / early Empire style. Case of mahagony with ornate engraved inlays in boxwood. Built for a Southern Swedish noble family. Naturals of cow bone, sharps with tops of ebony on fruitwood. Triple strung throughout, with una corda (goes to one string), bassoon FF-c, single/double moderator, damper and Janissary action, operated by four pedals and two knee levers. This instrument has hardly been touched or used. Alterations: 19 modern bass tuning pins. Several spots of damage to the veneer. Original music desk included. $55,000.

Previous Offerings now sold:

English Bentside Spinet by Keene n.d.

Semi-grand piano, 1839 by John Broadwood.

Italian Harpsichord, maker unknown, circa 1650 - 1720 - SOLD 7/17/03

Bentside Spinet by Longman & Broderip, 1785

Single manual harpsichord by Jacob Kirkman 1760

Single manual harpsichord by Vincenzo Sodi 1780

#2063 MA - Fortepiano by John Broadwood, 1800. - SOLD

#2235 TX - Square piano by Broadwood, 1804 - sold 10/05