Poggio Virginal: Museum Object and Cultural History

The object in the museum catalogue

This harpsichord was made by Francesco Poggio in Florence, Italy, in 1620. It is a polygonal virginal with a compass of C/E - f3 (6 split keys for alternate tunings), and has a disposition of 1 x 8’. The soundboard is made of spruce with a gilt parchment rose. This virginal has medium-brown stained arcaded naturals and dark-stained accidentals. The jackrail, possibly a later addition or re-inscribed, is inscribed: “IONNES BATT. BONI DA CORTONA. FECIT ANNO. 1617.”

The inseparable outer case is painted black with gold designs. The interior of the lid is painted with panels of birds and flowers with a shield in the center. The stand is similarly painted black with gold designs and 4 curved legs.

Other instruments attributed to Francesco Poggio are in the collections of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Yale University, New Haven, and the University of Edinburgh.

Materials, dates and provenance

• date made: 1620
• maker: Poggio, Francesco
• Object Name: harpsichord
• Physical Description: wood (overall material)
• Physical Description: paint (overall material)
• Physical Description: metal (overall material)
• Measurements: overall: 37 1/4 in x 64 3/4 in x 22 1/2 in; 94.615 cm x 164.465 cm x 57.15 cm
• place made: Italy: Tuscany, Florence
• ID Number: MI.60.1392
• accession number: 227687
• catalog number: 60.1392
• Credit Line: Gift of Cooper Union Museum
• 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.