Frederick, Prince of Wales was an accomplished musician who played several instruments and owned many. This instrument, made by the Swiss-born Burkat Shudi, was originally much larger, it was formerly a claviorgan: part-harpsichord, part-chamber organ, of which today only the harpsichord element survives. Another harpsichord (with a black and gilt-painted case) features in a painting nearby by Mercier (cat. 255). It shows Frederick, Prince of Wales playing the cello in the company of his three eldest sisters. Possibly commissioned or purchased by Frederick, Prince of Wales; first recorded at Buckingham Palace in 1825 Cat. 254