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Square Piano

ca. 1790
Not on view
Practically the smallest, simplest piano imaginable, this instrument was carried wherever its quiet music was wanted. The rectangular case and layout of the keys, strings, and soundboard derive from the clavichord. Unlike a clavichord’s fixed tangents which contact the strings while they sound, the piano's hinged hammers bounce away, letting the strings vibrate freely. The hammer's lever adds velocity to the blow, allowing a louder sound than the clavichord tangent's gentle tap. The specific type of action found in this instrument is a primitive version of the German prellmechanik and each hammer strikes a single string. This tiny piano lacks dampers, so every tone overlaps the next as in a harp or hammer dulcimer. The instrument case is made of cherry wood. The piano has 54 keys (C-f3), with walnut or stained boxwood naturals and lighter wood accidentals.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Square Piano
  • Date: ca. 1790
  • Geography: Germany
  • Culture: Possibly German
  • Medium: Cherry wood, various materials
  • Dimensions: Case L. perpendicular to keyboard: 23.7 cm (9-5/16 in.); W. parallel to keyboard: 95.8 cm (37-11/16 in.) Case D. without lid: 9.9 cm (3-7/8 in.)
  • Classification: Chordophone-Zither-struck-piano
  • Credit Line: Gift of Bernardus Boekelman, 1911
  • Object Number: 11.176.4
  • Curatorial Department: Musical Instruments

More Artwork

More Artwork
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Square Piano, Charles Albrecht German, Mahogany veneered case, nameboard veneer of lighter colored wood, brass decorative medallions on upper corners of legs, ivory natural and ebony accidental keys, American
Square Piano
Charles Albrecht
1791–1798
Alto Recorder, Joseph Bradbury British, Wood, ivory, British
Alto Recorder
Joseph Bradbury
ca. 1700
Square Piano, Dodds & Claus, Mahogany, iron, stained hardwood, ivory, bone, various materials, American
Square Piano
Dodds & Claus
ca. 1791
Clavichord, Johann Heinrich Gräbner German, Wood, German
Clavichord
Johann Heinrich Gräbner
18th century
Langeleik, Wood, metal, Norwegian
Langeleik
Norwegian
1799

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