Square pianoforte
John Broadwood & Sons
Category
Musical instruments, devices and recordings
Date
1797
Materials
Satinwood, mahogany, ebony, ivory, metal, cloth and leather
Measurements
865 x 1622 x 580 mm
Place of origin
London
Order this imageCollection
Mompesson House, Wiltshire
NT 724305
Caption
This unusual instrument is known as a square piano and it was the first type of piano. It was made by John Broadwood & Sons, a piano company which has its origins in the early 18th century, originally making harpsichords and then experimenting with the new piano. With a piano the sound comes from hammers hitting the strings, with a harpsichord the strings are plucked by a plectrum.
Summary
A square pianoforte inscribed on the nameboard ‘John Broadwood and Son, Great Pulteney Street, Golden Square, London, 1797’. Compass FF-c'''' with additional keys. English single action of Broadwood’s 1783 patent. The case and French stand of mahogany, banded with satinwood and inlaid with lines of boxwood or holly. (The shelf to the stand is missing and the stretcher mortises have been patched during a previous intervention). Note: two dummy strings are fitted as part of the design of the piano and correspond with the divide between the main key frame and the additional key frame.
Marks and inscriptions
On nameboard: John Broadwood and Son London 1797 Patent Great Pultney Street Golden Square
Makers and roles
John Broadwood & Sons, maker