Square Piano by Pether, G

Key range: C–f3 (four octaves and a fourth). The lower keys are fitted with ivory, whilst the upper keys are made of ebony. The instrument is veneered in mahogany and adorned both inside and out with inlays of various types of wood. It rests on a similarly decorated frame with four turned legs joined in a cross. It has double-stringed action and a distinctive, Pether-patented over-strike mechanism: the hammers, which rest with their heads facing forwards in the split key levers, are snapped against the strings by a felted strip mounted above the hammers when the keys are pressed down. As soon as the finger leaves the key, a small piece of lead attached to the end of the hammer shank returns the hammer to its original position. A wooden rod, leather-covered at the lower end and attached to the side of the key lever, serves as a damper. There are no levers or pedals.

Credit: Uni of Leipzig