Euphonicon Piano
Piano
ca. 1840 (made)
ca. 1840 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
As the production of pianos became more industrialized in England during the 1830s, piano designers and manufacturers looked for novel ways to capture the market. Among these designers was Dr John Steward of Wolverhampton, who patented the Euphonicon in 1841. This unorthodox form of upright piano was fitted with violin-type sound boxes, and had its strings attached to a harp-shaped frame. Steward's ideas had little lasting influence on piano design, although Florence Nightingale is said to have played such an instrument.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
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| Title | Euphonicon Piano (manufacturer's title) |
| Materials and techniques | Cast iron frame, with imitation rosewood graining, rosewood carcase case and fretwork |
| Brief description | Euphonicon Piano, English, ca. 1840, Abel & Sons, designed by Dr. John Steward |
| Physical description | Piano in rosewood case, with a harp-like metal frame strung vertically, the upper part exposed to view. In place of the normal soundboard there are three cello-shaped soundboxes, perforated with forte holes. Tuning is effected by special screw-type wrestpins concealed within the case. The hammer and damper actions are located below the keyboard. There are forte and una corda pedals. |
| Dimensions |
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| Production type | Mass produced |
| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Summary | As the production of pianos became more industrialized in England during the 1830s, piano designers and manufacturers looked for novel ways to capture the market. Among these designers was Dr John Steward of Wolverhampton, who patented the Euphonicon in 1841. This unorthodox form of upright piano was fitted with violin-type sound boxes, and had its strings attached to a harp-shaped frame. Steward's ideas had little lasting influence on piano design, although Florence Nightingale is said to have played such an instrument. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 342:1, 2-1874 |
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| Record created | October 22, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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