Toy Square Piano

Charles Martin Crandall American

Not on view

Though toy instruments like this are referred to as pianos, instead of strings the internal hammers use a simple action to hit metal bars to create their sound. Unusually, this toy piano is in the form of a domestic square piano rather than the more typical grand or upright versions.

Technical description: Rectangular dark-painted tongue-and-grooved case no 4 cabriolet legs, with hinged lid lifting to reveal music rack and 18 graduated steel bars struck by simple hammer action activated by white paper-covered natural keys (C-F, with black accidentals printed on); removable burl-pattern papered nameboard bears manufacturer's inscription.

Toy Square Piano, Charles Martin Crandall (American. Montrose, Pennsylvania 1833–1905 Waverly, New York), Wood, metal, American

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