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Positive organ

The wooden case of the instrument and the open-work ornament above the cornice are carved, painted and gilt in renaissance style. The leather pipe shade is painted in tempera with designs with designs which include angels, and the arms and a medallion-portrait of Johann Georg I, Duke of Saxony (1585-1656). The painted design is outlined by the cutting away of the leather background. On the insides of the two shutters of the case are painted in tempera the Dismissal of Hagar and the Sacrifice of Abraham. All the pipes are made of hard, thick paper, and are glued into their footholes. Blowing was originally effected from the rear by means of feeders (now missing).

  • Date:
    1627 (made)
  • Maker:
    Fritzsche, Gottfried
  • Collection:
    Victoria and Albert Museum
  • Inventory number:
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  • Place of production:
    Dresden (city)
  • Culture:
  • Period:
  • Materials:Pine case, carved, painted and gilt; birch keys, slides and windchest; paper organ pipes
  • Specific materials/techniques:
  • Decorative elements:
  • Inscriptions:"Erbaut 1741 Tobias Defrain Orgelbauer a Dresden". Built in 1741 by Tobias Defrain, Organ builder in Dresden. DG. IOAN. GEOR. D. SAX. ML. CL. & MON. ELEC. By the Grace of God, Johan Georg , Duke of Saxony ... and Elector Agar ancilla ab Abraham dimittur cum puero Agar the maid is dismissed by Abraham with her boy Abraham Parentus offeret fillium suum Isaac in Sacrificium domini. Abraham, as a parent, will offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice to the Lord.
  • Hornbostel-Sachs category:
  • Repository:Victoria and Albert Museum
  • Measurements:Height: 129.5 cm, Width: 112.5 cm, Depth: 58.5 cm