Square "Work Box" Piano

early 19th century

Not on view

Technical description: Softwood case veneered with ebony; on the lid exterior a painted oval panel enclosing an outdoor scene said to represent 2 maidens offering gifts at the altar of Diana, the panel and lid corners embellished with metal ornaments; within the lid a gilt medallion representing a Roman head; 2 mahogany strips at either side of the medallion probably later replacements; below the keybed a cedar compartmented sewing tray in a drawer; folding iron handles at sides of case; front panel missing; metal spacer between pinblock and hitchpin rail, passing through center of bridge; laminated pinblock with top layer of mahogany; unpierced tuning pins; keyboard and action slide under soundboard when not in use, pull out for playing; compass F-C (32 keys--pitch not determined), bone naturals, wood accidental blocks painted black on top surface; German action with escapement, brass kapsels; no dampers; double-strung throughout. (L. Libin, 12 Nov. 1976)

Artwork Details

Overview

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References

Title: Square "Work Box" Piano
Date: early 19th century
Geography: France?
Culture: possibly French
Medium: Various materials
Dimensions: Case length (perpendicular to keyboard) 33.5 cm, Width (parallel to keyboard), excluding handles 44.9 cm, Total height (no legs) 17.8 cm
Classification: Chordophone-Zither-struck-piano
Credit Line: The Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments, 1889
Object Number: 89.4.1228
Curatorial Department: Musical Instruments

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