Square Piano
Date1785
Artist/Maker
Frederick Beck
OriginEngland, London
MediumMahogany: case, lid, damper levers, hammer-rail cap, hammer shanks;
Spruce: soundboard;
Beech: bridge, hitch-pin plank;
Oak: key-frame front and balance rails;
Maple or Sycamore: nameboard veneer;
Softwoods: bottom, belly rail;
Plain light hardwood: molded key fronts;
Holly: inscription inlay, veneer string inlay;
Limewood: key levers;
Ivory: natural key tops;
Leather: jack tops, key pads;
Parchment: damper-lever hinges;
Baleen: damper springs;
Iron: stop levers, tuning pins;
Brass: stop knobs, lid hooks, lid hinges, jack wires (tinned), lock plate
DimensionsNet dimensions exclude lid, stand and projecting moldings. All dimensions in mm except where noted.
Length: 1,469 mm (net 1,456 mm); Width: 504 mm (net 495 mm); Height: 807 mm (net 95 mm)
Length: 1,469 mm (net 1,456 mm); Width: 504 mm (net 495 mm); Height: 807 mm (net 95 mm)
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Object number1930-414,A
DescriptionCASE DECORATION: The plain, solid mahogany case sides are cut with a bead molding on the inner rim and decorated on the exterior with black and white string inlay forming one rectangle each on the front and sides. An ogee molding runs around the bottom on the front and sides.KEYWELL: A plain white wood oval-ended inscription cartouche with ink inscription is set into a brown-stained curly sycamore panel surrounded with holly stringing and an outer band of mahogany.
LID: The main lid has a divided flap covering the keyboard and the front part of the soundboard. Both ends of the main lid section are secured with hooks on the case sides, and the flap over the soundboard has its own hook (now missing) on the side.
STAND AND PEDALS: There are no pedals. The stand is old but not original. The present four legs have brass casters and caster cups, are prominently tapered, and are positioned at the extreme corners of the case. There is no clear evidence of an earlier trestle-type stand.
INTERNAL NOTES: There is no provision for an internal music desk.
COMPASS: FF, GG–f3 (5 octaves)
STOPS: Two hand stops, one for buff and one for dampers
Inscription(s)"Fredericus Beck Londini Fecit 1785 / No 10 Broad Street Soho" in ink on nameboardProvenancePurchased by CWF in 1930 from H. C. Valentine & Co., Richmond
