Chamber Organ
Date1782
OriginEngland
MediumMahogany: case;
Softwoods: pipes, secondary wood;
Oak: caps for wooden pipes, pallets;
Ebony: sharps;
Ivory: natural tops;
Leather: bellows joints and gussets, pallet covers;
Parchment: hinges for keys, covering for conductor boards;
Lead alloy: tuning flaps;
Brass: pallet springs, case handles, stop knobs;
Gold: facade pipe gilding;
Iron: pumping hardware
DimensionsNet dimensions exclude lid, stand and projecting moldings. All dimensions in mm except where noted.
Depth: 488 mm; Width: 977 mm; Height: 2,050 mm
Depth: 488 mm; Width: 977 mm; Height: 2,050 mm
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Object number1980-187,A
DescriptionCASE DECORATION: The lower section of the mahogany case has moldings forming two frames with indented corners. The mahogany upper front panel has five flats of gilded wooden faux pipes. A broken pediment has dental molding and a lattice-pierced tympanum. Brass handles on the side are for moving the instrument.INTERNAL NOTES: The case encloses (from bottom to top) the feeder bellows, reservoir, pallet box, wind-chest, keyboard, and pipes. Some of the treble 2-foot pipes are perched above others on an offset toe board.
COMPASS: CC–e3 (5 octaves + 4 notes)
STOPS: Four draw knobs: left pair for 8-foot stopped diapason and fifteenth (bass), and right pair for fifteenth (treble) and flute (4-foot). An echo pedal removes stopped diapason and flute stops. The fifteenth is split treble and bass at b/c1 (middle c).Inscription(s)"W-H 1782" “W-H” cut into and “1782” stamped on bung boardProvenanceBelonged to Arthur Ackerman & Son, Inc., Chicago, in 1930; purchased by CWF in Chicago from Sotheby Parke Bernet, Inc.
