The square piano was one of the most popular keyboard instruments in the late 18th and early 19th century. A deep passion of Eric Feller for square pianos was one of the main reasons to create a rare collection of square pianos which is worldwide unique. Here you will find a fine selection of particularly interesting instruments. Further instruments will be added regularly to complete the research on square piano history.
This little square piano from the beginning of the company Longman & Broderip is one of the rarest instruments - it is the only instrument signed by Zumpe so far and thus represents the only proof that Johannes Zumpe had also worked for Longman. The case is made of mahogan...
moreThis is the second oldest instrument from the early years of Longman & Broderip in the Eric Feller Collection. The case is made of mahogany and framed with ribbon inlays. Left of the keyboard are three hand stops for divided dampers and lute. There is also a pedal/knee lever...
moreThis very interesting square piano is so far the only known instrument made by Johannes Christian Schreiber. The rectangular shaped mahogany case is decorated with boxwood inlays. The instrument has a single action and is double strung. The keyboard is made of ivory and ebo...
moreThis early square piano by Thomas Haxby was built in York in 1774 and belonged for many years to the Colt Collection in England. Haxby was considered an outstanding spinet and piano maker. The case of the instrument is made of mahogany with inlays in different woods. The instr...
moreThis square piano is a typical example of the 1770s instruments in England. The delicate instrument convinces with simple elegance and a charming sound. The instrument rests on the original stand (trestle-stand). Both are made of mahogany with encircling inlays in different wo...
moreThis square piano is one of the rare surviving instruments with a “Venetian Swell”. The case and the original stand are made of solid mahogany and framed with ribbon inlays. The stand has a small shelf ("music shelf") and is decorated with oval brass fittings. The lid is...
moreThis instrument is probably the earliest surviving square piano by Jacobus Ball. The case of this small instrument is made of mahogany with inlays in different woods. The instrument itself rests on a trestle stand made in cherry wood (not original). The keyboard is made in ivo...
moreOne of the most important piano companies besides J. Broadwood in the late 18th century was Longman & Broderip. They acted as instrument dealers with instruments crafted by suppliers and as music publishers. One of these examples is this early square piano. The case and th...
moreIn the late eighteenth century in England, many instrument makers also worked as suppliers to music shops, which themselves did not produce instruments, but only sold them. A prominent example is the company Longman & Broderip, for which Christopher Ganer or Johannes Zumpe wo...
moreJohannes Pohlmann (later anglicised to "Pohlman") is one of the so-called "12 Apostles" of piano making in the late 18th century in England. These were instrument makers who left the continent after the Seven Years War in Germany to immigrate to England. For more information abou...
moreThe case of this little charming instrument is made of solid mahogany and richly decorated with inlaid ribbons. The original stand is decorated on the sides with bronze applications. The keyboard is made ivory and ebony. Inside the piano are three stops for bass dampers, trebl...
moreThe case of the instrument is made of solid mahogany and richly decorated with various inlays and inlaid decorative ribbons. The original stand with 6 legs is also made of mahogany and decorated with flowers, ornaments and garlands. The keyboard is made in ivory and ebony. Ins...
moreThis small and rare square piano was manufactured around 1782 by the long-established and highly reputed company Longman and Broderip in London. Compared to other instruments of the time, it has smaller dimensions and a smaller keyboard range of only 4½ octaves. It is yet the on...
moreThis instrument by the company of Kirckman from 1783 represents an early example of the production of pianos in the changing time from harpsichord to piano. Kirckman which was renowned in the 18th century for making harpsichords expanded in the mid-1770s to offer also the newly c...
moreThis unusual Swiss square piano was made in 1784 by Christian Müller in Bern. It shows some unusual characteristics and is probably the prototype for Muzio Clementi's (1752 – 1832) patent for the "Bridge of Reverberation", which was introduced about 25 years later in London. ...
moreThis rare square piano by the famous Swiss instrument maker family Hauert was built around 1785 by Joseph Hauert in Bern. The elegant instrument and the original legs with floral carvings are made of walnut. On the front of the lid are an inlaid oval which is made in a darker...
moreChristopher Ganer was one of the most outstanding piano makers of the late 18th century in London, whose influence on the art of piano making was of great importance. Through his exceptional craftsmanship and innovations, Ganer made a significant contribution to the development o...
moreChristopher Ganer was one of the "12 Apostles" mentioned in the literature who emigrated to England in the mid-1760s. This square piano shows the continuous development of the instruments towards the end of the 18th century. In comparison to the square piano from 1780 (click here...
moreThe case and the original stand are made in mahogany with inlays in different woods. The stand has got a cross brace on the floor with pedals and is decorated with oval brass fittings.The instrument has a second action and is double strung. The keys are made of ivory and ebony. T...
moreThis early South German instrument from 1789 comes from the workshop of Johann Christoph and Christian Jeckel in Worms and is absolutely similar to the instrument from 1790 in the Metropolitan Museum in New York. The case of the instrument is made in various fruit woods (mainl...
moreThis early French square pianoforte is made by an instrument maker who we do know nothing. So far, no other instrument has been found, so it is probably the only surviving instrument. The case and legs are made of mahogany and framed with simple inlays. The instrument has a si...
moreA very early example of John Broadwood's exquisite square pianos can be seen here. The case of the instrument is made of mahogany with encircling inlays in different woods. The instrument rests on the original trestle stand which has been made in mahogany too. Inside is the...
moreThis rare pianoforte from the period around 1785 - 1790 represents an absolute peculiarity: it is so far the only preserved instrument with a newly invented action by John Crang Hancock in a square piano. The case is made of mahogany with inlays of boxwood and ebony. The instr...
moreThe case and the original stand are made in mahogany with inlays in different woods. The stand has got a cross brace on the floor with pedals and is decorated with oval brass fittings. The instrument has a second action and is double strung. The keys are made of ivory and ebony....
moreThis square piano by Thomas Bates is an example of Bates' long traditional style of piano making until the 1790s. While other piano makers at this time tried to develop the piano with an extended compass or "modern" designs Bates continued in the tradition of the 1770s and 1780s....
moreAt the end of the 18th century were many instrument makers in London and also a large number of Publisher who sold sheet music. Often, the combination of instrument maker and publisher could be found. In some cases, instruments were also commissioned from well-known piano builder...
moreAt the end of the 18th century, England experienced a golden age in piano manufacturing, which significantly contributed to the development and popularization of the instrument. This period was led by visionary craftsmen and entrepreneurs who shaped the piano into its modern form...
moreÉrard pianos were among the finest instruments made in the late 18th and 19th centuries. The company's reputation extended across Europe and the sound of these instruments is one of the finest ever. The company's success was unique. Clients included composers, musicians, royalty...
moreThis square piano is a late testimony from the era of the Longman & Broderip company. After their bankruptcy and the split of the two former business owners in 1795, the branch of the firm Broderip & Wilkinson was founded. This instrument was sold in the early years by th...
moreThe square piano played a central role in late 18th-century England, both in the musical life of the bourgeois and aristocratic societies and in the history of piano development. As a transitional form between traditional keyboard instruments of the Baroque era, such as the harps...
moreThis is currently the youngest of 3 square pianos made by Schoene in the Eric Feller Early Keyboard Collection. All three instruments feature identically designed nameboards and signatures. Also action, dampers and swell are the same. These charming instruments are all well ma...
moreThis square piano was made by John Broadwood and Son in 1799. It is totally similar to the one build one year later in the Eric Feller Collection. The case of the instrument is made of mahogany with revolving band inlays in different woods. The instrument itself rests on a "fr...
moreThis simple and charming square piano was made by Érard Freres et Co. in Paris in 1800. The case with its original legs is made in mahogany with simple brass inlays. The nameboard is signed with: "Érard Frères et Co. Rue du Mail No. 37 à Paris 1800." The original keybo...
moreThe instruments of John Broadwood were in the late 18th and early 19th centuries much sought after. As a result a large number of instruments were produced. The case of the instrument is made of mahogany with revolving band inlays in different woods. The instrument itself rest...
moreSquare pianos from the early days of Muzio Clementi's company are rare. This early instrument dates from 1801 and clearly shows the influence of Longman & Broderip, which Clementi took over some years before. It has furthermore a very progressive and refined design, with bras...
moreThis charming and absolutely elegant square piano was made in Paris in 1801 and is the only known instrument of this maker. It has a fine and sustainable sound. The case is decorated with inlays and is (as well as the legs) made of mahogany. Unusual is that the legs are made a...
moreLongman & Broderip was one of the most famous companies in the late 18th century in England. After the company's bankruptcy in 1795, James Longman and Francis Fane Broderip went to jail. In 1796 the successful composer and businessman Muzio Clementi became partner of James Lo...
moreThis square piano from 1803 was made in the important workshop of composer, publisher and instrument maker Muzio Clementi. In addition to Broadwood, the instruments of Clementi were highly appreciated and distinguished by their special sound. Contemporaries have dubbed them the b...
moreThis square piano comes from the workshop of William Rolfe and shows an instrument of classical elegance, as it was favoured by the English upper class in the late 18th to the early 19th century. Special features of these instruments are the richly decorated nameboards with flowe...
moreThe second half of the 18th century experienced a remarkable boom in piano manufacturing and development in London. This era was characterized by innovations, technical progress and a growing prestige of London’s piano makers worldwide. The piano makers of this time made a deci...
moreInstruments by Muzio Clementi were highly valued at the beginning of the 19th century and had a very high reputation. Among the preserved instruments there are almost instruments with a compass of 5 ½ octaves and double-action. This special square piano is unique because it is b...
moreThis very rare and elegant square piano was made by Érard Frères in Paris in 1804/1805. The case with its original legs is made in mahogany with inlays and original ormolu decorations around the case and legs. The nameboard is signed with: "Érard Frères Rue du Mail No....
moreKirkman (written Kirckman until about 1805) was one of the most renowned piano manufacturers in England in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The main production in the 18th century was harpsichords and only from the late 1770s square pianos and fortepianos were manufactur...
moreAs part of the workshop "Herangetastet. Eine Spurensuche" hosted by the "betont – Ton und Tasten Museum" in Kellinghusen, an instrument by Joseph Dale was expertly examined on November 16. Together with museum director Dr. Jan-David Mentzel and collector and expert Eric Feller,...
moreThe company of John Broadwood was one of the most prolific piano manufacturers in England in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Due to the partly industrial production large quantities have been achieved. However, the quantity did not affect the quality of the instruments an...
moreInstruments made by the well-known composer and piano virtuoso Muzio Clementi were among the best of the time at the beginning of the 19th century and were very much appreciated. Technically and tonally, they were well developed and crafted to the highest standard. Contemporaries...
moreLondon was one of the main locations of piano manufacturing in the late 18th and early 19th century. Accordingly, many piano makers settled there and produced a large quantity of the newly, fashionable Pianofortes. The demand was enormous, since the upper middle cla...
moreThis extraordinary square piano is an important historic instrument in music history, as it comes from the possession of the violinist and well-known publisher Jean-Jérôme Imbault. The instrument by Érard Frères was made in 1811 in Paris. The case and origina...
moreMeincke & Pieter Meyer belonged to one of the best piano manufactories in the Netherlands at the end of the 18th and the beginning of the 19th century. This square piano is one of the most elegant models and is totally different from the early typical English style instrument...
moreThis elegant "Regency-Style" square piano from 1814 is a typical early 19th century instrument found in very wealthy households. The case of the instrument is made of mahogany and rosewood with revolving band inlays in brass. The instrument stands on 6 original turned legs wit...
moreWithin a few years, the square piano underwent a rapid development. Improvements were constantly being made to refine the sound, a longer lasting tuning and the way of playing. This elegant square piano was made in 1815 and shows a special and very early improvement. The entire c...
moreThomas Tomkison was one of the most renowned piano makers in England in the early 19th century. Over the time, he was forgotten and companies like Broadwood, Clementi or Stodart became more famous and hid his work. Over the past years one could recognise an increasing interest...
moreThis square piano is a typical representative of the French Empire instruments from the beginning of the 19th century. The instrument was built around 1820 and impresses with its clear elegance and its fine sound. The case is made of mahogany and decorated with bronze applicat...
moreThis elegant little Empire piano by Érard Frères was made in Paris in 1822. The case of the instrument and the original legs are made of mahogany, decorated with inlays and elaborate bronzes. The nameboard is signed with: "Èrard Frères Facteurs de Forte-piano et Harpes du R...
moreJean-Henri Pape was one of the most innovative piano makers of his time at the beginning of the 19th century. A large number of patents to improve playing and sound were made by him. This elegant Empire piano was made in Paris in 1824. The case and original columnar legs are made...
moreThis square piano was build by the famous Swiss instrument maker family Hauert and was made around 1825 in Bern. The case of the instrument and the original legs are made of mahogany. On the front at the lock is a fine bronze application. On the nameboard in a ceramic cartridge r...
moreIn the 19th century, the square piano experienced remarkable spread and development. This era was marked by significant changes in the art of musical instrument making as well as a growing interest in musical art and culture. The fortepiano, which emerged in the 18th century as t...
moreThis small Empire square piano was made in Paris in 1829 by Léonard Systermans. The instrument convinced with its simple elegance and fine sound. The case and columnar legs are made of mahogany. The nameboard is slightly rounded and bears the inscription: "Leonard Systerman...
moreThis elegant Swiss square piano from Geneva shows the French and English influence on instrument making in Switzerland. The instrument was built around 1830 and has a very overtone-rich sound. The case and legs are made of mahogany. The typical fluted legs are reminiscent of...
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