Grand Piano
Wornum's Semi Albion grand piano was an attempt to construct a compact instrument for domestic use, wherein the action would be easily accessible for adjustment. It is essentially an early baby grand piano. The unusual piano has strings that run under the keyboard to tuning pins in the front. He patented a down-striking hammer action in order to accomodate the smaller case size.
Technical description: Case veneered in rosewood with grain oriented vertically; supported by three turned, tapered, and faceted legs with casters; compass CC-a4; ivory natural keys and ebony accidentals; two pedals, left shifting action (but not keyboard) and right lifting dampers; double strung throughout; single bridge with mitered bass section; down-striking action with tape-check mechanism of type patented by Robert Wornum in 1844; adjustable escapement, felt covered hammers; nut is double-pinned and rests upon the sound board; over dampers, activated by wires and rockers, extend to a2; the strings run below the keyboard to tuning pins located in front of keyboard, which are oblong and pierced.
Technical description: Case veneered in rosewood with grain oriented vertically; supported by three turned, tapered, and faceted legs with casters; compass CC-a4; ivory natural keys and ebony accidentals; two pedals, left shifting action (but not keyboard) and right lifting dampers; double strung throughout; single bridge with mitered bass section; down-striking action with tape-check mechanism of type patented by Robert Wornum in 1844; adjustable escapement, felt covered hammers; nut is double-pinned and rests upon the sound board; over dampers, activated by wires and rockers, extend to a2; the strings run below the keyboard to tuning pins located in front of keyboard, which are oblong and pierced.
Artwork Details
- Title: Grand Piano
- Maker: Robert Wornum (Robert Wornum (British, London 1780–1852 London))
- Date: 1850
- Geography: United Kingdom
- Culture: British
- Medium: Wood, ivory, ebony, metal, felt
- Dimensions: Case L. (perendcular to keyboard): 185.5 cm (73-1/8 in.)
Case W. (parallel to keyboard): 126.1 cm (49-5/8 in.)
Case H. (including legs): 85.4 cm (33-5/8 in.)
Case H w/o legs: 37 cm
Case D. (without legs or lid): 30.4 cm (12 in.)
3 legs removable (and are removed it is sitting on a shelf) - Classification: Chordophone-Zither-struck-piano
- Credit Line: Gift of Robert L. Thomas, 1980
- Object Number: 1980.478
- Curatorial Department: Musical Instruments
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