Harpsichord

National treasure and one of the ex-libris of the Museu Nacional da Música’s collection. Its historical and organological characteristics make it a highly valuable instrument, unique in the Portuguese patrimonial set, not only for its antiquity and rarity, but also because it is a rare testimony of the 18th century distinct Portuguese construction technique, where it is possible to recognize a strong and well established tradition of musical craftsmanship.

This harpsichord is one of the rare surviving Portuguese specimens of that time and, therefore, of major importance to reconstruct the authentic sound image of the pre-baroque and baroque music for harpsichord produced in Portugal by composers like Domenico Scarlatti or Carlos Seixas.

Many of the construction details attest that its author, Joaquim José Antunes, was one of the most important Portuguese harpsichord builders of the 18th century, an illustrious representative of a highly developed technique.