Square piano
Broadwood, John, and Sons
Category
Musical instruments, devices and recordings
Date
1827 - 11 Dec 1827
Materials
Rosewood
Measurements
854 mm (Height) x 668 mm (Width) 1725 mm (Length)
Place of origin
London
Order this imageCollection
Sudbury Hall (Children's Country House), Derbyshire
NT 653498
Summary
A John Broadwood Square Rosewood Piano (serial number 34824) completed at the Horsferry Road Workshop on December 11th 1827 and sold January 9th 1828. The Piano stands on six legs and a seventh one with a foot pedal the leg does not reach the floor. In 1842, 2,500 pianos a year were being made in the great factory in Horseferry Road, Westminster. Broadwoods were one of the twelve largest employers of labour in London, in an industry that was still craft-based with all parts made in-house. In 1866 the last square piano was made by Broadwood (serial number 64161) - it was overtaken by the "Cottage Upright".
Provenance
A bequest to the National Trust by Miss Gwendoline Johnson in 2014
Marks and inscriptions
Above piano key board: Engraved on a brass name plate: John Broadwood & Sons Makers to His Majesty & the Princesses Great Pulteney Street Golden Square London
Makers and roles
Broadwood, John, and Sons , manufacturer