List of Keyboards
Square Piano by Broadwood, J & Sons
An English square piano in mahogany with rounded front corners. Compass: F1 to f4; 73 notes. This instrument is very similar in structure and action to the Museum's Collard & Collard square piano (RCM 313). It was Broadwood, in a patent of 1825, who introduced the check to the square piano action. The amount of metal bracing is also similar but the soundboard of this model is partially laminated and very heavily ribbed. The sides of the case are veneered in mahogany with rounded front corners. The front of the nameboard is decorated with a brass inlay. Both the metal bar and the hitchpin plate are painted black and marbled
Credit: Royal College of Music
Cabinet Piano by Broadwood
This upright piano was made by John Broadwood & Sons in London, England around 1815. It is an upright grand in a rectangular case. The case stands on legs, and the entire instrument is over 8 feet tall. This piano is serial number 658 and has a compass of CC-c4, Broadwood upright action, leather hammers, triple-strings, 2 pedals on a lyre: keyboard shift, dampers (split pedal: Bass and treble dampers), wood frame with five iron bar braces, rosewood case on legs, and a silk front panel.
Credit: Smithsonian
Square Piano by Broadwood, J
Made by Johannes Broadwood in London, England, in 1798. Because the name of the Broadwood company became “John Broadwood & Son” in 1794, it has been suggested that the 1798 date on the name board ought to be read 1793. The serial number 998 might suggest a date of c. 1788. This piano has a compass of FF-f3, an English single action, with underdampers, leather hammers, double-strings throughout, 1 hand stop: dampers (missing), wood frame, and an inlaid case with contrasting woods
Credit: Smithsonian
Square Piano by Broadwood, J
This square piano was made by John Broadwood & Sons in London, England around 1825-1830. The inscription on the name board reads “John Broadwood & Sons. / Makers to His Majesty & The Princesses / Great Pulteney Street, Golden Square, / London.” During the companies peak years, the 1820’s - 1850’s, the Broadwood became the exemplary “English piano,” played by all the famous musicians of the time. The piano has a compass of FF-f4, English jack action with escapement, leather hammers, double-strings, 2 pedals: damper and an uncertain action, a wood frame, and a mahogany case
Credit: Smithsonian
