Music Stand
ca. 1810 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
A music stand such as this one was predominantly used by harpists during the Regency period. The harp was a particularly fashionable instrument for women to play.
Design & Designing
Regency style in England was influenced by ancient Greek and Roman forms, transmitted through the work of influential figures such as Henry Holland and Thomas Hope. You can see typical Neo-classical motifs on the music stand, similar to those found in Regency architecture. These include anthemions (honeysuckle), palmettes, scrolling acanthus, and bellflowers enclosed by borders of spherical beads. The crescent shape of the music rest itself is based on the pelta, a leather shield carried by peltast soldiers in ancient Greece.
People
The firm of Erard, who made the stand, played an important part in the history of musical instruments. Sébastien Erard founded the firm in Paris in the 1770s. As the French Revolution unfolded in the 1780s and 1790s, his close relationship with the court of Louis XVI made it necessary for him to leave France. He moved to London, where he opened his business in 1792 at 18 Great Marlborough St, Soho. He was a prolific inventor and entrepreneur, developing the Double Action Harp (allowing it to play in many keys) in 1811 and patenting the double escapement piano (which allowed the hammer to leave the keys quickly so that they could vibrate) in 1824. Besides harps and pianos, the firm also sold cases, 'music desks', extra strings and at least two kinds of music stands: mahogany and 'japanned and gilded'.
A music stand such as this one was predominantly used by harpists during the Regency period. The harp was a particularly fashionable instrument for women to play.
Design & Designing
Regency style in England was influenced by ancient Greek and Roman forms, transmitted through the work of influential figures such as Henry Holland and Thomas Hope. You can see typical Neo-classical motifs on the music stand, similar to those found in Regency architecture. These include anthemions (honeysuckle), palmettes, scrolling acanthus, and bellflowers enclosed by borders of spherical beads. The crescent shape of the music rest itself is based on the pelta, a leather shield carried by peltast soldiers in ancient Greece.
People
The firm of Erard, who made the stand, played an important part in the history of musical instruments. Sébastien Erard founded the firm in Paris in the 1770s. As the French Revolution unfolded in the 1780s and 1790s, his close relationship with the court of Louis XVI made it necessary for him to leave France. He moved to London, where he opened his business in 1792 at 18 Great Marlborough St, Soho. He was a prolific inventor and entrepreneur, developing the Double Action Harp (allowing it to play in many keys) in 1811 and patenting the double escapement piano (which allowed the hammer to leave the keys quickly so that they could vibrate) in 1824. Besides harps and pianos, the firm also sold cases, 'music desks', extra strings and at least two kinds of music stands: mahogany and 'japanned and gilded'.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 3 parts.
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| Materials and techniques | |
| Brief description | Music stand, English, 1810-1815, manufactured by Erard, wood covered with printed paper imitating japanning, and metal |
| Physical description | Music stand with wood and metal frame, gilded and covered in printed paper imitating japanning, with brass telescopic support |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Marks and inscriptions | Stamped on top of upright:'27' |
| Gallery label |
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| Credit line | Purchased with the assistance of Messrs H. Blairman and Sons |
| Object history | Made by the firm of Erard, London; music rest inscribed 'Erards,18 Gt. Marlborough Strt, London. The crescent-shaped support for the music is based on the shape of a 'pelta', the leather shield carried by soldiers in ancient Greece. Adjustable furniture with patented gadget features came very much into fashion during the Regency period. An identical music stand was sold by Woolley & Wallis, Salisbury, from the collections of The Grange, Wendover, 2 October 2024, lot 133. |
| Summary | Object Type A music stand such as this one was predominantly used by harpists during the Regency period. The harp was a particularly fashionable instrument for women to play. Design & Designing Regency style in England was influenced by ancient Greek and Roman forms, transmitted through the work of influential figures such as Henry Holland and Thomas Hope. You can see typical Neo-classical motifs on the music stand, similar to those found in Regency architecture. These include anthemions (honeysuckle), palmettes, scrolling acanthus, and bellflowers enclosed by borders of spherical beads. The crescent shape of the music rest itself is based on the pelta, a leather shield carried by peltast soldiers in ancient Greece. People The firm of Erard, who made the stand, played an important part in the history of musical instruments. Sébastien Erard founded the firm in Paris in the 1770s. As the French Revolution unfolded in the 1780s and 1790s, his close relationship with the court of Louis XVI made it necessary for him to leave France. He moved to London, where he opened his business in 1792 at 18 Great Marlborough St, Soho. He was a prolific inventor and entrepreneur, developing the Double Action Harp (allowing it to play in many keys) in 1811 and patenting the double escapement piano (which allowed the hammer to leave the keys quickly so that they could vibrate) in 1824. Besides harps and pianos, the firm also sold cases, 'music desks', extra strings and at least two kinds of music stands: mahogany and 'japanned and gilded'. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | W.17&:2, 3-1966 |
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| Record created | January 29, 2001 |
| Record URL |
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