Square piano

Square (or table) pianos were very popular in the 19th century. This is an early type of piano construction in which the strings are arranged diagonally to the keyboard. This construction enables the casing to be given a rectangular shape, similar to a table. This handcrafted keyboard instrument was made around 1830 by the E. Löffler company in Berlin. Nearly 1.90 m wide and 87 cm deep, it stands on elaborately turned feet. With the lid open, one can see the interesting inner workings of strings, dampers and hammers. Around the keyboard, the square piano is decorated with ornate wood inlays depicting small flower tendrils. Candlesticks are attached to the left and right of the keyboard.