Joseph Mahoon Spinet: Museum Object and Cultural History

The object in the museum catalogue

This harpsichord was made by Joseph Mahoon in London, England, in 1753. It is a bentside spinet with a compass of GG - g3, and a disposition of 1 x 8’. This spinet has a spruce soundboard, with ebony naturals with ivory arcaded fronts and ebony covered accidentals. The nameboard is inscribed:" Joseph Mahoon," and the lowest key is marked “1753.”

The inseparable case is made of painted wood with a simulated wood-grain finish. 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.

Joseph Mahoon (fl. 1729-1773) was a prominent spinet and harpsichord maker in London. In 1729, Mahoon (pronounced and sometimes written Moon) was appointed “Harpsichord Maker to His Majestie” (King George II, who reigned from 1725 to 1760).

Materials, dates and provenance

• date made: 1753
• maker: Mahoon, Joseph
• Object Name: harpsichord
• Physical Description: paint (case material)
• Physical Description: spruce (soundboard material)
• Physical Description: ebony (naturals material)
• Physical Description: ivory (accidentals material)
• Physical Description: wood (case material)
• Physical Description: metal (overall material)
• Measurements: instrument: 8 1/2 in x 72 3/4 in x 29 3/4 in; 21.59 cm x 184.785 cm x 75.565 cm
• Measurements: overall: harpsichord: 9 3/4 in x 73 in x 30 1/2 in; 24.765 cm x 185.42 cm x 77.47 cm
• place made: United Kingdom: England, London
• ID Number: MI.096636
• accession number: 49656
• catalog number: 96636
• Credit Line: Gift of F. H. Vinton and H. A. Vinton
• 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.