List of Keyboards 

• Inscription: HOEBERECHTS & FILS / Facteurs / DE FORTE PIANOS / Coin du Boulevard, N°1 en face de la porte de Louvain / à Bruxelles

• Compass: 6 octaves (FF-f'''')

• Keyboard: naturals in ivory, sharps in ebony

• Dimensions: W 173 cm / D 68 cm

• Case: mahogany

• Serial number: 872/4

• Literature: P. VANDERVELLEN, "The Golden Age of Flemish Harpsichord Making - a Study of the MIM's Ruckers Instruments", 2017

• Chris Maene Collection number: CM 66 305

• Condition: original

• Location: 4 - Museum storage space Ruiselede

• Inscription: L. HOEBERECHTS & FILS : Facteur de Forte-Pianos/ DE LA COUR/ Rue Notre Dame aux Neiges n°4 près la rue Royale Neuve / Bruxelles

• Compass: 6 octaves and 3 notes (DD-f'''')

• Keyboard: naturals in ivory, sharps in ebony

• Pedals: 2: una corda - damper

• Dimensions: W 127 cm / D 30 cm / H 109 cm

• Case: rosewood

• Serial number: 1080

• Literature: P. VANDERVELLEN, "The Golden Age of Flemish Harpsichord Making - a Study of the MIM's Ruckers Instruments", 2017, p. 161

• Chris Maene Collection number: CM 64 194

• Condition: original

• Location: 4 - Museum storage space Ruiselede

Lanbert Hoeberechts born in Maastricht in 1772 and Jean Groetaers born in Tirlemont in 1764 were apprentices in London. In 1800 they entered into a partnership and opened a piano workshop in Brussels. Very quickly they were counted among the most successful piano makers in the country. In 1827 the relation was severed and they continued separately in the pianobusiness.

Provenance: donation bij Ms Anne-Cathérine Everaert  to the Chris Maene Collection in 2021.

Technical data:

• Inscription: Hoeberechts & Groetaers / Piano-Forte Makers / from LONDON at Brufsels

• Compass: 5,5 octaves (FF-c'''')

• Keyboard: naturals in ivory, sharps in ebony

• Pedals: 3; harp - forte - celeste

• Dimensions: W 164 cm / D 61 cm

• Case: mahogany with copper mouldings

• Serial number: 133

• Chris Maene Collection number: CM 66 389

• Condition: original

• Location: 4 - Museum storage space Ruiselede

After a training in London, Hoeberechts & Groetaers installed their workshop in Brussels in 1800. Very quickly they were counted among the most successful piano builders in the country. In 1818 they were granted the title Supplier of the King by Willem I. They paid a lot of attention to the cast, which is visible in this square piano. The instrument is supported by 4 griffins, a hybrid mythical creature with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle.

Technical data:

• Inscription: HOEBERECHTS & GROETAERS Facteurs de Forté Pianos de la Cour de S.M. Le ROI des Paysbas rue d'Orange à Bruxelles N°131 & 132

• Compass: 6 octaves (FF-f'''')

• Keyboard: naturals in ivory, sharps in ebony

• Pedals: 4: harp - forte - celeste - bassoon

• Dimensions: W 181 cm / D 76 cm

• Case: mahogany

• Serial number: 686

• Chris Maene Collection number: CM 66 332

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

In 1827, after working together for 25 years, Hoeberechts & Groetaers went their separate ways. Around 1830 all pianos in Belgium had a key compass of 6 octaves (73 keys) or 6 octaves and 1 quarter (79 keys). This exceptionally big grand piano had 7 octaves (85 keys) and was made for the expo in Brussels of 1830. This is without any doubt the first original Belgian concert grand with 7 octaves.

Technical data:

• Inscription: HOEBERECHTS & FILS Facteurs DE FORTE PIANOS Coin du Boulevard, N1, en face de la porte de Louvain à Bruxelles

• Compass: 7 octaves (CC-c''''')

• Keyboard: naturals in ivory, sharps in ebony

• Pedals: 4: harp - una corda - forte - celeste

• Dimensions: L 250 cm / W 139 cm

• Case: flame mahogany

• Chris Maene Collection number: CM 63 333

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