Square Piano
ca. 1795 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The 'square piano' was the earliest version of small piano, an instrument that became increasingly popular after about 1770. Its name is a translation of the French term piano carré. This example has no pedals or levers to vary the volume, but it was fitted with a large shelf for storing music. John Longman formed a partnership with Francis Broderip in 1775, which went bankrupt in 1798. To judge from the style of decoration, this undated piano was probably made in about 1795.
The piano was on loan to the Horniman Museum until June 2019.
The piano was on loan to the Horniman Museum until June 2019.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 3 parts.
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| Materials and techniques | Mahogany case with stringing of various woods, partly painted satinwood veneered nameboard with pierced fretwork and enamel name plaque |
| Brief description | English square piano, solid mahogany case, satinwood-veneered nameboard, Longman & Broderip, about 1795. |
| Physical description | Piano with sixty-eight notes, FF-c4, chromatic, with simple rectangular mahogany case and stringing of various woods, standing on four square tapered legs, joined by a large mahogany shelf near the top of the legs. The nameboard is veneered in satinwood, with pierced fretwork at both ends, and swags of drapery with sprigs of foliage flanking an elypitical enamel plaque, set in a wreath and placed in the centre. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Gallery label | SQUARE PIANO
English
By Longman & Broderip, about 1795
Inscribed New Patent Longman & Broderip / London
Case of mahogany.
The instrument's range is sixty-eight notes, FF - c4, chromatic, and it has an English single-action.
Keyboard catalogue No.: 39
Longman & Broderip, founded in 1767 as John Longman & Co, dealt in instruments, sold and published music, going bankrupt in 1798.
Presented to the V&A by Guy Johnson, Esq.
W.33-1964(pre September 2000) |
| Credit line | Given by Guy Jonson, Esq. |
| Object history | This instrument was given to the Museum by Guy Jonson, Esq. |
| Summary | The 'square piano' was the earliest version of small piano, an instrument that became increasingly popular after about 1770. Its name is a translation of the French term piano carré. This example has no pedals or levers to vary the volume, but it was fitted with a large shelf for storing music. John Longman formed a partnership with Francis Broderip in 1775, which went bankrupt in 1798. To judge from the style of decoration, this undated piano was probably made in about 1795. The piano was on loan to the Horniman Museum until June 2019. |
| Bibliographic reference | Howard Schott: Catalogue of Musical Instruments in the Victoria and Albert Museum - Part I: Keyboard instruments. (London, 1998), p. 39 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | W.33:1 to 3-1964 |
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| Record created | May 16, 2001 |
| Record URL |
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