This project has been generously sponsored by the Boston Chapter of Save Venice.

A virginal is a plucked-keyboard instrument in the harpsichord family used as a table model, without legs. It is small and has a simple rectangular form, having only one string per note. The strings run parallel to the keyboard, which is located on the long side of the case.  

The terminology “virginal” could derive from the Latin word virga meaning a rod, in reference to the wooden jacks that rest on the keys, or could refer to sound vox virginalis like a young girl’s voice.  The term was used in the 16th century to indicate various types of harpsichords popular in Europe and England.

The virginal in the Cini Foundation collection is of unknown Venetian origin dated to the end of the 16th century. It measures nearly 10 inches high, 47 inches long, and 20 inches deep. The instrument is lacquered in an oriental or Persian style of gold decoration, popular in the Venetian Renaissance period, with an application of paint in tones of black, red, and green on top of the gilding. The decorative design is created by removing areas of polychrome to reveal the gilding beneath.

The instrument’s case is made of wood and the keys are in bone and ebony, decorated with gold letters and arabesque decoration. The chords are still present, as well as their mechanisms, but the instrument cannot be played.

The wooden support is cracked and corner edges are missing.  Small holes are present from a past infestation of wood-boring insects. The painted surface is very dark, caused by oxidized varnishes.  Repainting from a past conservation treatment seems to be concentrated on the front cover, which was damaged due to use. 

The instrument will be dusted, and flaking paint will be reattached. An anti-termite treatment will include a vacuum treatment placing the instrument in an air-tight bag to remove all oxygen and eliminate the insects. This is followed by brush and syringe application of preventative anti-termite solvent to the areas that are not decorated or painted. The loose wooden pieces and cracks will be restored with a synthetic adhesive used for wood (Weldwood), and the applications of Paraloid glues diluted in solvents.

Cross-section analyses of the painted surface will determine the layers of paint to better understand the artistic technique. The wooden surfaces will be cleaned with solvents and heavy retouching from past treatments removed. Losses of the paint and decoration will be filled with plaster and glues, and retouched with watercolors and conservation paints.  A final coat of protective varnish will be applied.

A comprehensive photographic campaign will document each step of the conservation process.