Maker Name

Erard (estab. 1777, closed 1959)

Technical Description

Technical description: Grand piano, seven octaves, 85 keys, compass AA - A₇. Double escapement action. Single strung AA - GG, double-strung GG# - F, triple-strung F# - A₇. Parallel stringing throughout. Ivory naturals, ebony accidentals. Two bridges, the lower bridge for strings AA-A₂. Lower bridge strings are overspun with copper with a steel core. All other strings are steel. Square-headed tuning pins. Gold painted cast iron plate. Double prop-stick for long and short positions. Two brass pedals: damper and una corda with a decorative pedal lyre. 6 turned and fluted wooden legs, with decorative brass ferrules at top and bottom of leg. Decoration: Art case design by Paul Sormani featuring Louis XVI parquetry designs on outer case and birds eye maple veneer on inner case. Ornate brass pedals with floral motif. Decorative pedal lyre with an inlaid ebony “f-hole” design. Signature marks: “Erard / Paris” inlaid in ebony on fallboard. "Par Brevet d'Invention / Seb & Pre Erard / 13 & 21, rue du Mail / Paris" on soundboard Engraved on brass lock plate located in centre of the key slip: PAUL SORMANI / 10, r. Charlot. Paris "94680" stamped in black on back buttress “4238” stamped in black ink on soundboard on treble side Measurements: Overall length: 1830mm Width of keyspan: 1180mm Total height to top of lid: 1000 Length of naturals: 145mm Width of naturals: 20mm Length of accidentals: 90mm Width of accidentals: 10mm Height to natural touchplates 730mm In 1900 the Erard firm began selling pianos in several historical decorative styles including ‘Renaissance’, Louis XV, and Louis XVI. The company also worked with a number of furniture designers to create art case pianos. This instrument has a case design by Somani. Paul Somani died in 1877, so the instrument would have been designed by his son Paul-Charles and widow Ursule Marie Philippine, who were running the firm.

Provenance

Gift of Theodora Zemek