The Chris Maene Collection

Fascinated by Master instrument makers from the past, Chris Maene has been a collector of historical keyboard instruments since his youth.Through family ownership, purchases and gifts, the collection has grown in 50 years into a real 'piano museum' with more than 300 different keyboard instruments. Highlights are an original harpsichord by Hans Ruckers (Antwerp 1632), Dirk Van der Lught (Amsterdam 1775), Shudi-Broadwood ( London 1778) and original fortepianos by Graf, Streicher, Fritz, Wachtl, Longman-Clementi, Broadwood, Wornum, Tomkison, Pleyel, Erard, Pape, Blüthner, Bechstein, Bosendorfer, Steinway & Sons etc.

A lot of these instruments are very valuable pieces and some were restored to use during concerts and CD recordings.

To keep the collected instruments together and safeguard them for the future, Chris Maene together with his sons Dominique and Frederic brought the collection under the "Chris Maene Collection BV" in 2016. The collection is prepared for the future and managed by a passionate team!

Enter the Chris Maene Collection here!

The rediscovery of the Johannes Ruckers harpsichord 1632 in the Chris Maene Collection

'I believe that it is the ultimate dream of every collector and curator of keyboard instruments to one day discover an authentic Ruckers harpsichord, unknown to the scientific community so far. Well, for Chris Maene and for me, this dream has come true and I am very happy to share with you today the history of the Joannes Ruckers harpsichord built in 1632 in Antwerp.' Pascale Vandervellen, team MIM

This short documentary reveals the rediscovery process of a unique piece in the Chris Maene Collection, which was not what it seemed to be!