Charles van Raalte
The musical instruments on display at Dean Castle,
Kilmarnock, 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. In particular, there are
examples from the lute family, some of which are very old,
especially 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 and the backs are usually
wholly or partly of ivory, which is also used in the elaborate
decoration found on several instruments.
For their quality and significance, our collection of historical
musical instruments has been recognised by Museums Galleries
Scotland as a Nationally Significant Collection.
.
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.
