Square Piano by Sellers, J
Maker:
Sellers, J
Number of manuals:
One
Year:
1794
Museum:
National Museum of American History
Date Range
1750-1800
Current Location:
North America
Material:
Mahogany
Painter:
Pedals:
Catalogue Number:
CEP-2931
Origin:
North America
Type:
Square Piano
This square piano was made by John Sellers in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania around 1794-1796. Because the name board probably came from another maker’s piano, it has been speculated that this instrument could have been made by John Behrent or James Juhan of Philadelphia, or that Sellers rebuilt someone else’s piano. The unusually short compass would suggest an earlier date than Sellers is known, and the action type and knee-lever might indicate that the maker was originally German or Austrian. The piano has a compass of C-f3, and early Prell action, leather hammers, first 10 notes are single-strung and the rest double-strung, with tuning pins on right, 1 knee-lever: dampers, a wood frame, and a mahogany case
Credit: Smithsonian