Bonhams 1793 : An English Bentside Spinet by John Harris, London circa 1740

inscribed on nameboard Joannes Harris Londini Fecit, the case possibly of red walnut with pierced brass accessories, the interior, jackrail, nameboard, and keyboard cheeks with parallel stringing and triangular inlay decoration, the five octave keyboard of 61 ebony and ivory keys from G to G, restorations and renovations, 176cm in length and 70cm in width, on an antique stand comprising four ring turned baluster legs.(2)

Sold for £8,750 inc. premium

Footnotes

See D. Boalch, 1956; Makers of the Harpsichord and Clavichord 1440-1840 page 42 and the matrix of Surviving Instruments by John Harris, no., 4

The uncle of the present vendor who was a collector of antiques, bought the above Spinet from Horace Jackson, around seventy years ago.

This Spinet was until recently part of the fine and decorative contents of Shelley's Hotel, in Lewes, Sussex where the great poet once lived and worked. This hotel was furnished some time ago with family pieces from Antioch House, Lewes, by the vendor's family. Other selected items from this collection were sold by Bonhams, Knightsbridge in the Period Design Auction of 10 July 2012.

John Harris used premises on Red Lion Street, Holborn, London with his business partner John Byfield. Harris became organ-builder for the Chapels Royal and built organs for St. Martin in the Fields in 1726 and for the Chapel Royal at St James' Palace in 1710.

Category: Musical Instruments

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