List of Keyboards
Square Piano by Pape, H
Key range: Contra-C – f4 (six octaves and a fourth). The lower keys are fitted with ivory, whilst the upper keys are made of ebony. The instrument is veneered in rosewood and decorated with brass inlays; it rests on four heavy volute-shaped supports with brass rollers. Behind the pedals is a ‘pedal lyre’ formed from two volutes. The decorative moulding above the keyboard is adorned with maple veneers. The piano has double-stop stringing and Pape’s over-strung action It is fitted with a piano pedal and a forte pedal. To dampen the sound, two wooden panels, each with three sound holes, are placed over the string
Credit: Uni of Leipzig
Grand Piano (Hexagonal) by Pape, J
Pape became one of the nineteenth century's most innovative piano makers, securing numerous patents and earning widespread recognition for his technical ingenuity. His work was honoured with silver medals at the Paris Exhibitions of 1823 and 1827, followed by gold medals in 1834, 1839, and 1844.
Among his most significant innovations were the down-striking action and the introduction of felt-covered piano hammers, developments that had a lasting influence on piano construction. In 1828 he introduced the compact console piano, an upright instrument with remarkably small dimensions, and he also experimented with unusual case designs, including hexagonal and oval pianos.
Pape's workshop trained several notable piano makers, including Carl Bechstein (1826–1900) and Frederick Mathushek (1814–1891). He died on 2 February 1875 in Asnières-sur-Seine, near Paris
Photo Credit: Louislegrand14
Square Piano by Osborne, J
square piano in the English style. Compass FF to c4 (68 notes). Naturals covered in ivory; sharps ebony. Standard English square-piano double action. One pedal: dampers. Bichord stringing.
Case with rounded front corners, veneered in mahogany with rosewood crossbanding; cast metal molding near the bottom. Keywell veneered in rosewood with light-colored wood stringing at the ends and brass stringing on the nameboard. Nameboard with inlaid brass nameplate at center, with inlaid brass foliate decoration at the ends. Mahogany dust cover. Two drawers between the first and second and the third and fourth front legs (i.e., no larger third drawer under the keyboard between the second and third legs). Six turned reeded screw-on legs with metal collars at the top; pedal holder in the form of a slender lyre. Lid mahogany with rosewood crossbanding.
Cabinet Piano by Osborne, J
This upright piano was made by John Osborne (or Osborn) in Boston, Massachusetts around 1820. This is one of the earliest known American-made upright pianos. An Osborne upright, serial number 153, is in Old Sturbridge Village, Massachusetts. This piano is serial number 152 and has a compass of FF-f4, sticker action, leather hammers, double-strings, but pin block is drilled for triple-strings AA#-f4, 2 pedals: keyboard shift and dampers, wood frame, straight-strung, and a mahogany case with a silk front
Credit: Smithsonian
Square Piano by Osborne, J
This square piano was made by John Osborne in Boston, Massachusetts around 1822-1824. Osborne, or sometimes spelled Osborn, was born in New England and from 1808-1814 studied with Boston piano maker Benjamin Crehore. In 1815, Osborne set up shop at the rear of 3 Newbury Street. After a brief partnership with James Stewart, Osborne moved to Boylston Market, where he remained until 1826. This piano has a compass of FF-c4, an English double action, leather hammers, double-strings, first 5 notes are wound, tuning pins in rear, 1 pedal: dampers, wood frame, and a mahogany case
Credit: Smithsonian
Clavichord by Olea, Juan Feliphe de
Signed in an oval cartouche on the inside of the lid:
Juan Feliphe | Deolea [De Olea?] Meqico | En la calle de San agus | f....
18C?
C.D.E.F–c³ (alternative explanations for the full-width bass natural keys are possible). The keyboard has been altered by the addition of two full-width naturals in the bass: it originally began on C/E.
Multiple fretted, beginning on note e.
Compartments to left and right of keys with lids; however, these are only half-height. The front is closed by a separate hinged flap.
Carved cheekpieces: however, left and right-hand cheekpieces do not match and the carving of the right-hand one seems crude. Yellow naturals, pinkish-brown sharps.
Keylever cranking is reminiscent of Leipzig 2 (see Ecuador, no. E.1).
No. of bridges: 3, straight and perpendicular to long sides. No. of hold-downs: 3.
Lute-like rose in soundboard. Cartouche with maker’s name inside lid, also figures (secular). Painted decoration on exterior and on soundboard.
Hitch-pins in zig-zag pattern.
Credit: https://www.peter-bavington.co.uk/website/mexico.htm
Photo Credit: Pablo Padilla & Juan Luis García
