This unusual harpsichord in private ownership turned up in the workshop of a furniture restorer
in Florence. It is a giant Venetian harpsichord, one of the few remaining by Giovanni Celestini,
dated 1594. One year's carefull research unravelled its complicated life history. It was bought by the
Medici at the end of the 17th century, and worked on by Cristofori, and by one or more of the Ferrini's,
who were Cristofori's successors .Due to the fame of its maker, its large size and precious decoration,
it was perhaps the most prestigiuos keyboard instrument in the Medici collection. The research work
was published as an article in the Italian musicological journal 'Recercare'.
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