List of Keyboards 

Making pianos came natural for the Ermel family. Father Jean-Joseph settled in Bergen in 1867. Three of his children were piano makers. Their names are found on pianos in Namur, Brussels, Mons and Ghent. The brothers Ermel are counted amongst the pioneers of piano making in the Belgian provinces. The square piano shows the usual style of those makers at the end of the 18th and beginning of the 19th century, strongly influenced by the English style.

Technical data:

• Inscription: Eugène Ermel & Fils à Mons 1791

• Compass: 5 octaves (FF-f''')

• Keyboard: naturals in ivory, sharps in ebony

• Dimensions: L 150 cm / W 55 cm

• Case: mahogany with contrasting inlaid borders

• Chris Maene Collection number: CM 66 330

• Location: 1 - Museum "Piano's Maene" Brussels

This piano, featuring an extraordinary marquetry satinwood case designed by George Henry Blake, is one of the most elaborately decorated instruments of the nineteenth century. It was commissioned from the London branch of the distinguished French firm of Érard by Thomas Henry Foley, Baron of Kidderminster, for Witley Court, his residence near Herefordshire and Worcestershire.The keyboard compass is CC-g4 (80 keys) with ivory naturals and ebony accidentals. There are two marquetried wood pedals, the left for the una corda and the right for the dampers. The instrument has the double-escapement action invented by Sébastian Érard and refined by his nephew Pierre, the most advanced for its period and the basis for the modern piano action. The instrument is triple strungexcept for the five lowest notes which each have two overwound bass strings. The strings for the top 26 notes pass beneath a pierced brass bar, Pierre Érards "harmonic bar" patented in 1838. The open-bottom wooden case is reinforced by longitudinal steel bars. 

Credit: Met Museum

The castle belonged to the d'Estampes family from 1451 to 1747, then was acquired in 1803 by the Prince de Talleyrand

Photo Credit: Croquant Wikicommons

Made on the order of King William IV for his niece Queen Victoria.  Donated by King Edward VII in 1907

Photo credit: Sushanta Patronobish

Photo Credit: Daderot Wikicommons

Photo Credit: Pko Wikicommons

Photo Credit: LPLT Wikicommons

Photo Credit: Janot Wikicommons

FF-f4 (6 octaves)

Mahogany, rosewood and other various precious woods in veneer. Ivory and ebony keys. Gilt bronze mounts.

Four pedals: dampers, moderator, lute, bassoon (order uncertain)

Case veneered in mahogany, rosewood, and other precious woods, gilt bronze mounts.

Stock photo - does not represent the instrument