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D2006-CMD-1657
Piano in the form of a chest of drawers
D2006-CMD-1657

Piano in the form of a chest of drawers

Dateca. 1840s
Maker Thomas D. Davis
OriginAmerica, Maryland, Allegany County, Cumberland
MediumPrimary wood (case): cherry, and sulfur Secondary woods (case): white pine, oak, poplar Action: walnut, white pine, iron, copper
DimensionsOverall height: 1580 mm; overall width: 955 mm; overall depth 571 mm (62.2" x 37.6" x 22.5")
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Object number1991-438
DescriptionThe object is in the form of a chest of drawers having 2 wide drawers at the bottom, two banks of 2 drawers each, two banks of 4 drawers each, a false wide drawer front behind which is housed the piano action, then a narrow drawer which is flanked by square vent holes and pulls out to gain access to the keys, then a wide drawer is on top. The non-conventional keyboard does not protrude. The standing player reaches into the chest to access the keys. The whole is on turned feet. Turned columns are surmounted with white inlay initials. The chest is of solid cherry wood with secondary wood of white pine, oak, and poplar. The sides of the chest are of frame and panel constrution with one hinged panel on each side that accesses a hidden storage space. The 4-drawer banks are shallow to accomodate these compartments. The piano and drawers above this level are also shallow, resulting in inaccessible spaces. Shaped holes in the partition behind the piano action, one of which leads to an enclosed channel, indicate some sort of further mechanical contrivance now missing.

The piano is not removable, although with the strings missing, the action is easily lifted out. There is not a conventional keyboard; there are no sharps. The action is intact as are fragments of soft iron and brass strings. There is no sign that there was ever a bridge, at least not one that was glued down, nor a nut. The longest string was about 830mm, the shortest 325mm. The action is unique, but works on the basic mechanical principle of the Zumpe action. White pine topped walnut keys are carved to contact the hammer directly. A rail under the key front stops the key allowing the hammer to continue up to the string and rebound without releasing the key. A piece of yarn wrapped around the "key" at the point of contact with the hammer quiets the action. The walnut hammer is hinged with a leather hinge. The hammer head is a block of white wood held down with a copper bracket. There is no sign of any leather or cloth to cover the striking point, and it would seem the string would be hit by either the copper or the wood. Guide wires between the hammer rail and the "backrail" of the keyboard pass through slots in the keys to guide the keys. The keys pivot on a continuous horizontal wire near the front. There is no sign of a damper system. The action is off-center, allowing for a small slab-cut white pine soundboard on the right. The piano was apparently used at least enough to accumulate finger dirt on the keys.
Inscribedsigned "Kezia Hays" and "T. D."
ProvenanceCW purchased from an antiques dealer in Winchester, VA, in 1991. Oral tradition from seller is that it came down through the Hays-Hanlin(e) family of Grant County, West Virginia until descendant John Parks sold it in 1991. [see also curatorial remarks]