Elsche, Jacobus Van den

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(bc1689; d Antwerp, Feb 2, 1772). Flemish harpsichord maker. He was probably born outside Antwerp and became a citizen of that city in 1713. He is listed in the Guild of St Luke in 1714 and that year married Anna Cornelia Henquine (b Antwerp, 6 Oct 1687; d Antwerp, 18 April 1724); they had seven children. When he died be had several properties in Oelegem, Schilde, and ‘s Gravenwezel as well as houses in Antwerp, demonstrating considerable wealth; besides making harpsichords he is mentioned as bode (carter).

A document of 1713 refers to him as the only local harpsichord maker, rebuilding instruments by old masters as well as making new ones. Elsche is the only known maker active in Antwerp between the time of the Ruckers-Couchet workshop and the arrival of J.D. Dulcken in 1738 and J.P. Bull in 1745. Only one instrument (dated 1763...