Upright piano
I. H. R. Mott
Category
Musical instruments, devices and recordings
Date
circa 1828
Materials
mahogany, rosewood, metal, ivory, ebony, and silk
Measurements
2560 mm (H); 1190 mm (W); 585 mm (D)
Place of origin
Pall Mall
Order this imageCollection
Powis Castle and Garden, Powys
NT 1185458
Summary
Upright Cabinet Grand Sostente piano (the strings encased above keyboard) by I.H.R. Mott, with mahogany and rosewood frame, with raised fluted legs, the pediment with dentil decoration, the case door with brown silk on front. The keys are ivory with ebony accidentals. The nameplate reads 'Patent Sostente Grand, I:H:R: Mott, 92 Pall Mall, London, Maker to His Majesty'. The Sostente mechanism, patented by Mott, is no longer intact and would have lengthened the notes from the strings via a roller worked by a pedal. The pedal and roller are missing but the flywheel and some fixings are still present. According to a report by Barry Lloyd (2004) this piano is unique being the only surviving upright Sostente piano, the only surviving Sostente piano build by I.H.R. Mott alone (and not in partnership) and the only one with any part of the Sostente mechanism still present.
Provenance
Piano believed to have been purchased by Henrietta Clive, Countess of Powis and is also known as 'Lady Clive's Piano'. Purchased by the National Trust from John George Herbert, 8th Earl of Powis and the Powis Estate Trustees in June 2010.
Marks and inscriptions
Above keys inside lid: Patent Sostente Grand / I:H:R: MOTT / 92, Pall Mall, London / MAKER to his MAJESTY Punched into Wrest plank: 1324 IMPROVED PATENT I.H.R. MOTT PALL MALL LONDON On wrest plank: Raised 2 Semi-tones May 15/64 / do. Dec 10/67 / Raised the pitch Sept 10/1862 [illegible signature] / Lowered one Octave Xmas 76 C. Taylor
Makers and roles
I. H. R. Mott, maker