Two Beautiful English Spinets               at Woolley & Wallis 2nd July

It is rare to see an original English Spinet at Auction  - a real treat to see two at once!  

Lot 604 is by John Harris, c. 1735 - 40

This instrument is typical of English spinets of the period, in a walnut case with a double-curved bentside and pierced brass hinges.  The compass is five octaves chromatic, GG - g3, ivory naturals with arcaded fronts, and ebony and ivory 'skunk-tail' sharps.  The stand has plain spindle-turned legs, and is probably original, or at least contemporary (It is not unknown for spinet stands to be exchanged between instruments, as they are all practically the same size.)

The inscription 'JOHANNES HARRIS LONDINI FECIT' is carried in gilt lettering on the jackrail rather than above the keyboard; the front board is instead adorned with stylised botanical decoration and two birds.  This is very unusual for an English spinet of this period, but the presentation of the name suggests that it could be original.  

The pierced brass hinges and lock are the standard English pattern of the period.

This one is listed in Boalch-Mould Online as BMO-93.

We do not yet have any data about condition, but as far as we can see from the images, it is complete and in fair condtion.  The jacks appear to be old, and could be original at least in part. 

The estimate for this fine spinet is £3,000 - £5,000.  Remarkably (and temptingly!) there is no reserve.  

*****************

Lot 797 is the only known spinet to carry the name Will Strollger.

This instrument is recorded in Boach-Mould Online as BMO- 1923.  But details of Will Strolger are sketchy and doubtful.  We may also observe that the presentation of the name, burned into the cartouche, is lopsided and not convincing.

However, it is a fine-looking spinet, entirely conventional for the date suggested (c. 1730 - 50) in a walnut case wth a mitred tail.  The elegant stand with half-cabriole legs would have been expensive.  The five-octave keyboard has ivory naturals with arcaded fronts and ebony and ivory 'skunktail' sharps.

As with the Harris instrument, we do not yet have data about the playing order, but from what we can see from the images it is complete and in fair condition.  The jacks appear to be old, and at least for the major part could be original.  The standard English pattern pierced hinges (see below) might suggest a date towards the earlier part of the estimated date range.   

The estimate for this fine spinet is £3,000 - £5,000.  Remarkably (and temptingly!) as with the Harris, there is no reserve.  

Images by, and by courtesy of, Woolley & Wallis, Salisbury   www.woolleyandwallis.co.uk