Square Piano by Wohlein, L

Range: Contra F–f4 (six octaves). The lower keys are inlaid with ivory, the upper keys with ebony. This beautiful instrument is veneered in mahogany and finished in the Empire style; it rests on four square spiked legs with brass castors. The entire exterior is edged with brass strips and adorned with fine bronze fittings. The decorative moulding and keyboard sides are veneered in thuja. The bronze fitting set in a recess above the keyboard, which bears a mother-of-pearl inscription within a wreath supported by two floating cupids, is framed by brass pearl-shaped rods. The beautiful bronze fitting on the lid in front of the keyboard, depicting the goddess of victory, Nike, on a chariot drawn by two horses, is similarly adorned. The piano has double-stop stringing and an English action.  A wooden panel has been laid across the interior of the case to dampen the sound. It is fitted with a knee lever (forte lever) and two pedals for piano and timpani with bells. The piano pedal causes the keys (down to d1) to sink below their normal level, thereby moving the jacks closer to the hammers and resulting in a gentler strike against the strings.

Credit: Uni of Leipzig