The Powerhouse acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the ancestral homelands upon which our museums are situated. We respect their Elders, past, present and future and recognise their continuous connection to Country.
2001/12/1 Digitorium finger exercise machine, timber / ivory / metal, made by Chappell & Co, London, England, 1860-1880. Click to enlarge.
  • Image 1 of 8, 2001/12/1 Digitorium finger exercise machine, timber / ivory / metal, made by Chappell & Co, London, England, 1860-1880. Click to enlarge
  • Image 2 of 8, 2001/12/1 Digitorium finger exercise machine, timber / ivory / metal, made by Chappell & Co, London, England, 1860-1880. Click to enlarge
  • Image 3 of 8, 2001/12/1 Digitorium finger exercise machine, timber / ivory / metal, made by Chappell & Co, London, England, 1860-1880. Click to enlarge
  • Image 4 of 8, 2001/12/1 Digitorium finger exercise machine, timber / ivory / metal, made by Chappell & Co, London, England, 1860-1880. Click to enlarge
  • +4
    Image 5 of 8, 2001/12/1 Digitorium finger exercise machine, timber / ivory / metal, made by Chappell & Co, London, England, 1860-1880. Click to enlarge
  • Image 6 of 8, 2001/12/1 Digitorium finger exercise machine, timber / ivory / metal, made by Chappell & Co, London, England, 1860-1880. Click to enlarge
  • Image 7 of 8, 2001/12/1 Digitorium finger exercise machine, timber / ivory / metal, made by Chappell & Co, London, England, 1860-1880. Click to enlarge
  • Image 8 of 8, 2001/12/1 Digitorium finger exercise machine, timber / ivory / metal, made by Chappell & Co, London, England, 1860-1880. Click to enlarge

Digitorium finger exercise machine

The Digitorium is part of a genre of 19th century finger exercise machines that were made for a mainly amateur pianist market. The piano had become a hugely popular instrument throughout the middle class during this time and devices such as the Digitorium were created to assist in the physical development of a player's fingers and hands. These devices came in a variety of forms and allowed players to strengthen their fingers by playing weighted keys, the weight of which could be adjusted. …

Summary

Object No.

2001/12/1

Object Statement

Digitorium finger exercise machine, timber / ivory / metal, made by Chappell & Co, London, England, 1860-1880

Physical Description

Square wooden box featuring five ivory piano keys. The device has a small timber slide at the front with a central hole. Panels attached to the sides and back are covered with worn gold-coloured velvet, while the base is covered in green baize. A plaque on the top of the box reads 'The Digitorium' and lists information about the patent and manufacturer. The number '2/2681' is stamped into the wood on the front of the unit below the keys and also on the timber slide. The letters C, D, E, F and G are stamped into the front side of the wood panel above each key. The letters R, M, B, L and B are handwritten on the front of each key.

Marks

Plaque on top of the machine reads; 'BY HER MAJESTY'S ROYAL LETTERS P ATENT. / THE/ DIGITORIUM / CHAPPELL & Co. / 50, NEW BOND STREET / LONDON.'.
Stamped into the wood on the front and also on the timber slide, '2/2681'.
National Trust (Victoria) number printed in black ink on the lower rear left,'CMO 1243'.
Label adhered to the base reads 'Little 198 / 136 New Street / NB 4667'. Possibly refers to name and address of original donor who gave the Digitorium to the National Trust of Australia in 1963.

Short URL

https://ma.as/9739

Dimensions

Height

69 mm

Width

162 mm

Depth

210 mm

Source

Credit Line

Gift of National Trust of Australia (Victoria) and Mrs R Little, 2001

Acquisition Date

14 February 2001

Cite this Object

Harvard

Digitorium finger exercise machine 2022, Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences, accessed 26 March 2023, <https://ma.as/9739>

Wikipedia

{{cite web |url=https://ma.as/9739 |title=Digitorium finger exercise machine |author=Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences |access-date=26 March 2023 |publisher=Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences, Australia}}

We want to hear from you

I know more about this object   I have a question about this object   
Creative Commons Licence

Copyright for the above image is held by MAAS and may be subject to third-party copyright restrictions. Please contact MAAS Rights and Permissions for information regarding reproduction, copyright and fees. Text is released under Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives licence

  Submit an image license enquiry.