Tisseran Harpsichord

This Joseph Tisseran harpsichord, London, c.1700, is the earliest surviving English double-manual harpsichord. Very little is known about the maker beyond his name, and no other instruments by Tisseran are known to survive. Its design suggests he may also have made spinets, as the soundboard grain runs obliquely to the long side — a feature characteristic of small English instruments of the period. Its exceptionally painted soundboard, rare dogleg jack mechanism, and fully documented provenance mark it as a highlight of the Bate Collection of Musical Instruments, University of Oxford. It provides scholars and visitors with a rare insight into London harpsichord making around 1700 and demonstrates the evolution of keyboard mechanisms and decorative practices in early eighteenth-century England.

Play the Sound of the Tisseran Harpsichord:

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Provenance of the Joseph Tisseran Harpsichord

The harpsichord has an exceptionally well-documented history:

c.1700: Likely made for Tisseran’s own use
1712: Sold to Edward Hanford at Woolas Hall near Pershore
16 December 1949: Sold at Sotheby’s to Tom Burn, Rous Lench Court, Evesham
7 July 1986: Sold again at Sotheby’s (Rous Lench Sale, Lot 973) to Michael Thomas
Present: Donated to the Bate Collection of Musical Instruments by the Austin & Hope Pilkington Trust

The instrument was also exhibited at the Galpin Society’s 40th Anniversary Exhibition (1986).

Maker’s Inscriptions and Date

The nameboard reads:

“Josephus Tisseran Faciebat Londini”

(Joseph Tisseran made this in London)

A matching inscription appears beneath the keyboards. The original date, 1700, was later altered to 1710, likely to make the instrument appear newer at its 1712 sale. Photographs by David Law confirm the original date. The wrestplank is inscribed:

“Josephus Tissern [sic] Londini”

Compass and Registers

The harpsichord has a four-octave compass (GG/BB–d‴) with a split E♭ key allowing BB♭ (front) and E♭ (back). Its current disposition includes:

2 × 8′ registers (doglegged)
1 × 4′ register
Three stop levers

Evidence indicates the instrument originally had a shove coupler, traces of which remain on the lower-manual keys. The conversion to the dogleg system may have occurred at the same time as the date alteration, though it could also have been a later eighteenth-century modification.

Dogleg Jack Mechanism

The dogleg jack system is a key feature of this instrument. The front 8′ register can be played from either manual, while the rear 8′ and 4′ registers are playable only from the lower manual. This design allows a unique tonal flexibility but provides fewer contrasts than the traditional shove coupler system.

Soundboard and Decoration

The harpsichord’s soundboard decoration is exceptionally elaborate. According to Dr Grant O’Brien, it was likely painted by the same hand as the Coston harpsichord in Edinburgh. The case is painted to imitate wood panelling with gold spangles, evoking Chinese lacquer. Traces of blue paint beneath the surface suggest the exterior may have been repainted around 1710–1712, potentially alongside the coupler system modifications.

Stand and Hardware

The instrument rests on a trestle stand of spinet type, painted to match the case, but clearly of later date. Castors are fitted to the legs.

Hardware includes:

Four brass hinges for the lid
Four brass hinges for the lid flap
Four brass hinges for the front flap
Five lock plates (chains and pins missing)

Dimensions

Overall length: 2265 mm
Overall width: 852 mm
Depth: 262 mm
Stichmass F–f″: 484 mm
Stichmass c″: 320 mm

Keyboard and Materials

Naturals: Ebony
Sharps: Ivory (some stained)
Key fronts: Embossed gold paper

The keyboard reflects early eighteenth-century English craftsmanship.

The Bate Collection · Harpsichord

Harpsichord by Joseph Tisseran, London, c.1700. The only known surviving instrument by this maker, now in the Bate Collection of Musical Instruments, University of Oxford.

Keyboard of the Joseph Tisseran harpsichord, London, c.1700, showing ebony natural keys and ivory sharps. Bate Collection of Musical Instruments, University of Oxford.

Detail of the tuning pins (wrestplank) of the Joseph Tisseran harpsichord, London, c.1700. Bate Collection of Musical Instruments, University of Oxford.