Baby grand piano
Klems
Category
Musical instruments, devices and recordings
Date
1889
Materials
Metal and rosewood
Measurements
990 mm (H)1370 mm (W)1730 mm (D)
Order this imageCollection
Erddig, Wrexham
NT 1151260
Summary
Baby grand piano - A Klems 'baby grand' piano in rosewood case with carved legs. Gothic script nameplate read as 'Klems'. An early turner signed the wrest plank with the date 1889.
Full description
An overstrung grand piano, compass AAA – a4. Casework veneered in a mahogany and rosewood. Three octagonal legs with carved foliate collars. The iron frame of composite construction. A very advanced and innovative design for its date – far more so than anything being produced by British builders of the time – combining the most up-to-date version of Erard’s epetition action (the basis of all modern grand actions and here with additional refinements of adjustment) with a ‘cross – strung’, or ‘over –strung’ iron frame deriving from American precedents, particularly those of Steinway.
Provenance
Given by Philip Yorke III (1905-1978) along with the estate, house and contents to the National Trust in 1973. Bought by P.Y.II in Stuttgart in 187(?) whilst a student at Bonn (FandF pg.5)
Marks and inscriptions
Inside the keyboard lid: Klems
Makers and roles
Klems, maker