Claviola

Claviola 1. *bowed keyboard instr. in shape of an upright piano, invented by John Isaac Hawkins of Bordertown, N.J., in 1802, with metal strings sounded by a continuous bow. By depressing the keys the corresponding strings were raised and pressed against the bow. Its 25 strings had a compass g0–b2 (the top 4 keys lacked strings of their own and acted on those of the lower oct., producing flageolet tones). The instr. was shown in London in 1813 (92, 176); 2. keyboard instr. invented by Papelard…