Images(4)

Square Piano

Date1788-1789

Maker Longman and Broderip

OriginEngland, London

MediumMahogany: case, legs, apron veneer, damper levers, hammer shanks, hammer-rail cap, action brackets, folding internal music desk; Oak: spine, hammer rail, key-frame front and balance rails; Beech: bridge; Softwoods: soundboard, bottom, nameboard substrate, stand aprons, belly rail; Plain light hardwood: key fronts; Holly: nameboard banding; Limewood: key levers; Maple: nameboard veneer (stained); Ebony: sharps; Ivory: natural tops; Leather: jack caps; Enameled copper: inscription plaque; Brass: inscription bezel, lid hinges, lock plate; Iron: hand-stop levers, tuning pins ??=================== Secondary woods: beech; deal; fruitwoods; mahogany; Norway spruce; oak. Minor: ivory; brass and other metals.

DimensionsNet dimensions exclude lid, stand and projecting moldings. All dimensions in mm except where noted. Length: 1,570 mm (net 1,553 mm); Width: 550 mm (net 547 mm); Height: 831 mm (net 215 mm)

Credit LineGift of Anonymous Donors

Object number1971-577,A

DescriptionCASE DECORATION: The mahogany case sides have a molding cut into the inner rim. The perimeter of the bottom is also covered with a molding. There is string banding consisting of a wide black line and thin white lines above and below forming one continuous rectangle on the front, and a rectangle on each of the sides. Through dovetails are visible on the spine. There is no evidence of lid hooks on the front or sides.
KEYWELL: The enameled inscription oval has a brass bezel. The nameboard is veneered with dark-stained curly sycamore and decorated with inlay husks and swags, foliate medallions, and a central ribbon. An outer banding of horse chestnut(?) is separated from the sycamore center by white-black line stringing.
LID: The thumb-molded lid has a typical 3-piece design with a main section and flap divided over the keys and front part of the soundboard. A narrower version of the case string banding is used on the top and underside of the lid. The top has an additional outer rectangle of string banding consisting of crossbanding with white stringing on either side.
STAND AND PEDALS: This has a French frame stand with thumb molding around the top and vertical grain on the aprons. Tapered square-section legs have non-original casters and no stringing. The bolt covers above each leg are also replacements. A music shelf is now missing, leaving filled notches in the legs.
INTERNAL NOTES: English single action; double strung throughout. Supports remaining on the inner rim indicate the former presence of a dust board. A folding music desk is attached to the back of the nameboard.
COMPASS: FF–f3 (5 octaves)
STOPS: This has three hand stops: two for bass and treble dampers, split between b and c1, and the third for buff.
Label TextLongman & Broderip were prominent dealers in printed music and musical instruments. A large harpsichord bearing their name in a similar enamel cartouche was ordered by George Washington in 1793 for Nelly Custus and remains at Mt. Vernon.
InscribedOn enameled nameplate: "LONGMAN & BRODERIP/MUSICAL INSTRUMENT MAKERS/No {13} HAYMARKET/LON{D}ON."
Markings• "1478" stamped into the block to the left of the keyboard.
• "No 3" in pencil on the back of the nameboard.
• (No numbering on the keys)
• "London 1788 Manf[?] / New York 1904 Repaired" in pencil on bottom under key frame
• Undeciphered pencil inscriptions inside.
ProvenanceGiven to CWF by Anonyous Donors in 1971

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