Cottage Piano by Wilkinson & Wornum

This upright piano was made by Wilkinson & Wornum in London, England around 1812-1813. George Wilkinson joined Robert Wornum, Jr. in the Wilkinson & Wornum partnership which lasted from 1811-1813. This instrument is a “cottage piano,” about 41 inches high and devised by Robert Wornum as a way to make small pianos that would take up little floor space in small homes. The separation of the front and back of the piano gave this style the name “Knife Piano.” This piano is serial number 17 and has a compass of FF-c4, an English sticker action, leather hammers, double-strings, 2 pedals: moderator and damper, wood frame, and keyboard and action in a front mahogany case, hinged to the back case with strings, soundboard and tuning pins, that can be completely separated

Credit: Smithsonian