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Record photo
Square Piano
Record photo

Square Piano

Dateca. 1797
Maker John and Archibald Watson
OriginScotland, Edinburgh
MediumMahogany: case sides, lid, stand, music shelf, soundboard moldings, belly rail, hammer rail and shanks, action brackets; Spruce: soundboard; Softwoods: bottom, spine; Oak: key-stop rail; Limewood: key levers; Maple: belly cap molding; Purpleheart(?): nameboard banding; Plain light hardwoods: nameboard veneer, inscription cartouche, key fronts; Ebony: sharps; Ivory: natural key tops; Brass: underdampers, hinges, bolt covers (replacements) ; Tinned brass: front pins, balance pins, bridge pins, nut pins, hitch pins
DimensionsNet dimensions exclude lid, stand and projecting moldings. All dimensions in mm except where noted. Length: 1,632 mm (net 1,615 mm); Width: 583 mm (net 571 mm); Height: 839 mm (net 235 mm)
Credit LineGift of John Watson and Linda R. Baumgarten in memory of Robert A. Watson
Object number2011-76
DescriptionCASE DECORATION: This has a simply decorated solid mahogany case with square corners and white-black-white line stringing. The bottom has a plain cover without molding.
KEYWELL: The white wood veneer of the keywell is surrounded by black and white stringing and purpleheart(?) outer banding. An oval inscription cartouche of lighter wood has a thin black-white-black string border. The nameboard is without vents.
LID: The lid is of standard 3-piece construction with a music desk integral with the flap and lockboard.
STAND AND PEDALS: This is a "French frame" stand with its original music shelf. The brass bolt covers are 1982 replacements.
INTERNAL NOTES: There is no evidence that there was ever a dust board or a folding music desk behind the nameboard.
COMPASS: FF–c4
OCTAVES: 5 oct. + 7 notes
STOPS: none

Inscribed"John and Archd. Watsons / Edinburgh / Makers from London" in ink on nameboard
Markings• "Robt. Stephenson" in ink in right rear corner of soundboard
• "Watson" in ink (in period hand) at top center of back of nameboard
• "Restored 1982 John Watson" in ink on business card attached to back of nameboard
ProvenanceDescended in family of Joan Metcalf who immigrated with piano to Gainesville, FL, from United Kingdom; sold in 2011 to John R. Watson, who gave it to CWF the same year
Exhibition(s)