Vertical piano
Date1813-1820
Artist/Maker
Robert Wornum
OriginEngland, London
MediumRosewood: case exterior veneer;
Sycamore: keywell panels, pin block;
Mahogany: action frame, damper rail, stickers, secondary wood in upper front panel;
Limewood: key levers;
White pine: soundboard;
Softwoods: substrate of back board (under rosewood veneer), vertical framing columns;
Beech: nut, bridge, bottom;
Brass: string inlay on case exterior
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Rosewood case with bass inlay and ornaments and watercolors on paper and under glass
DimensionsNet dimensions exclude lid, stand and projecting moldings. All dimensions in mm except where noted.
Length: 559 mm (net 523 mm); Width: 1,127 mm (net 1,072 mm); Height: 1,242 mm (net 1,178 mm)
Length: 559 mm (net 523 mm); Width: 1,127 mm (net 1,072 mm); Height: 1,242 mm (net 1,178 mm)
Credit LineMuseum purchase; David L. Peebles, Ferguson Enterprises, Inc.
Object number1986-98,A
DescriptionCASE DECORATION: The case has rosewood veneer, with brass stringing outlining panels and cast brass egg-and-dart molding around the base. The cheekpieces give a rounded profile. The knee-board has two string inlay rectangles, each with ornamented corners and a central brass inlay acanthus and scroll motif. The upper front board has three openings presently fitted with reproduction pleated green silk cloth.KEYWELL: The keywell is veneered in sycamore and divided into panels with rosewood banding.
LID: The lid has a gadrooned perimeter and an acanthus pierced brass gallery.
STAND AND PEDALS: The legs are turned and reeded with leaf carvings in the upper portion and brass casters and caster cups. A prominent brass capital is square with gadrooning.
COMPASS: FF–c4
OCTAVES: 5 oct. + 7 notes
STOPS: There are two pedals, for keyboard shift and for dampers. A hand stop in the right end block limits the keyboard shift for una corda or due corde.Label TextThis small upright piano dates from the earliest years of English production. The elegant case is finished on all sides and inlaid with brass. The maker, Robert Wornum, Jr., invented the modern upright piano action.Mark(s)• "Harmonic" in pencil on back of nameboard • "Made by Rt Wornum Wigmore Street London" in pencil on underside of d1 key • "M27545" stamped on plastic label on action; possibly applied by dealer Morley • "15" stamped in large numbers on top center of tuning pin block • "18" stamped in small numbers on right end of action in three places, including action support, damper rail, and vertical action frameProvenancePurchased in 1986 from Robert Morley & Co. of London with funds given by David L. Peebles
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Robert Morley & Company, Ltd., Lewisham, England
