The musical instruments on display at Dean
Castle were collected, at the end of the 19th Century by
Charles van Raalte of Brownsea, Dorset. His daughter, Margherita,
married the 8th Lord Howard de Walden, and
although several of her father's instruments were sold after his
death, she brought many of the most historically important examples
to Dean Castle.
For certain types of instruments this is one of the most
important collections in the world. This applies to the instruments
of the lute family, some of which are very old, particularly fine
and well preserved. These date from as early as 1570, several being
products of famous instrument makers of their time. The tops are
made of maple wood; the backs are usually wholly or partly of
ivory. Ivory is also used in the elaborate decoration found on
several instruments.
Keyboard instruments are represented by a variety of
miniature types - which include very early, rare and outstanding
pieces. There are several spinets and organs, an early clavichord
and an unusual folding harpsichord. Ladies used the smaller ones
for home amusement and are particularly finely decorated. In the
case of the clavichord and of a mechanical spinet, the instruments
are constructed to form musical jewellery boxes.
The Van Raalte collection includes many other interesting
and unusual instruments - miniature viols, early ivory recorders,
flutes, harps and drums.
