A rare form of a small harpsichord, the folding harpsichord was made to sit on a table. It has a removable keyboard as well as a soundboard in three hinged sections that fold up. This instrument has a limited range of less than four octaves and a quiet sound, which would have been well suited for private music making.
From the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
That’s really ingenious, and it must have been useful while traveling, even if I imagine the sound wasn’t the best. I play the piano, so I really get the pain of not being able to take your big instrument with you.
Edit:
black-stained accidentals covered with rosewood plates
“Accidentals” refers to the “black” keys, right? It’s the first time I see this word applied to keys, is that common in English?
That’s right; “accidentals” in English are the notes on the staff with a sharp or flat.
