Johannes Player Spinet: Museum Object and Cultural History

The object in the museum catalogue

This harpsichord was made by Johannes (John) Player in London, England, around 1675-1699. It is bentside spinet with a compass of GG/BB - d3, and a disposition of 1 x 8’. This spinet has a spruce soundboard with ebony naturals and ivory accidentals. The nameboard is inscribed: "Johannes Player Fecit."

The inseparable case is made of stained wood and has a cover attached with three simple brass hinges. The separate trestle stand is made of made of wood with plain legs.

The spinet was a popular domestic keyboard instrument in England and America during the 18th century. A household that could not afford or did not have room for a full-sized harpsichord or organ, the spinet became the keyboard of choice.

There is an example of a Player spinet in the collections of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

Materials, dates and provenance

• date made: 1675 - 1699
• maker: Player, John
• Object Name: harpsichord
• Physical Description: wood, oak (case material)
• Physical Description: metal (overall material)
• Physical Description: wood, spruce (soundboard material)
• Physical Description: ivory (accidentals material)
• Physical Description: quill (plectra material)
• Measurements: instrument: 7 1/4 in x 58 3/4 in x 23 5/8 in; 18.415 cm x 149.225 cm x 60.0075 cm
• Measurements: overall: harpsichord: 7 in x 58 1/2 in x 23 in; 17.78 cm x 148.59 cm x 58.42 cm
• place made: United Kingdom: England, London
• ID Number: MI.299848
• accession number: 61285
• catalog number: 299848
• Credit Line: Gift of Hugo Worch
• Data Source: National Museum of American History

Sources and reuse

Catalogue descriptions and facts adapted from National Museum of American History through the Smithsonian's official Open Access dataset. This record explicitly marks its metadata CC0 1.0; formatting and selection have been changed.