Piano
C. Bechstein
Category
Musical instruments, devices and recordings
Date
c. 1890
Materials
Oak
Place of origin
Germany
Collection
Standen House and Garden, West Sussex
NT 1216899
Summary
Upright piano with oak case and candle holders, designed by Walter Cave (b.1863) and made by C. Bechstein, Berlin. Numbered 32950. A piano of this type was shown at the Arts and Crafts Exhibition at the New Gallery, London in 1893, and is illustrated in The Studio vol II. Related documentation in archive: invoice dated 9 May1894 lists the design as 'medieval English' and the serial number 32950. Ordered by 'Jas. S, Beale Esq. 32 Holland Park'. Also receipt dated 11 May 1894 acknowledging payment of £70 17 6 by cheque. Handwritten postscript reads 'I shall be happy to exchange the piano within the next 2 or 3 weeks, if desired'.
Provenance
Piano purchased by James Beale in May 1894 for Standen. By 1973 when the National Trust acquired Standen the piano was no longer in the collection, but was bought back at auction in 2018, its identity confirmed by the serial number on the instrument which matched the original invoice in the Standen archive.
Makers and roles
C. Bechstein, maker Walter Frederick Cave (Bristol 1863 - London 1939), designer