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Joshua Done 1795

Description

Date:

1795

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Origin:

London

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Serialnumber:

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At the end of the 18^th 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. Piano manufacturing during this time was characterized by a combination of technological advancements and great craftsmanship. The use of high-quality woods and exquisite decorations also made the instruments desirable pieces of furniture, which found a permanent place in the salons of the wealthy middle and upper classes. The success and spread of these instruments were further aided by the growing middle class and the increasing importance of home music in social life. By the end of the 18^th century, there were many piano makers in London, including Joshua Done, about whom little is known to this day. His few surviving instruments are characterized by fine woods, excellent craftsmanship, and outstanding sound.

The case of the instrument and the matching original French stand are made of mahogany and decorated with multi-coloured inlays set in a cassette-like manner. The action is a single action with single dampers, double-strung strings, and two hand levers for divided dampers. The hammers are covered with leather. The lower keys are covered with ivory and the upper keys with ebony. The nameboard is decorated with garlands and flowers in inlays and signed in an oval cartouche with:

“Joshua Done Londini Fecit 1795

Chancery Lane”

The square piano, with its single action and divided damper stops follows the tradition of early instruments by Zumpe. However, from an external appearance, it seems modern for its time. Joshua Done, matching the taste of the 1790s, built a french stand for this instrument. One of the first piano makers to build french stands for his square pianos was Christopher Ganer. As early as 1777/78, he initiated the new trend that only truly took hold in the 1790s and replaced the trestle stands.

Square Piano by Joshua Done, London 1795 – Eric Feller Collection (2)

Joshua Done was active in London from around 1780 and quickly established himself as a respected piano maker. Little is known about him to date. From 1792 to 1814, his workshop was located on Chancery Lane, and from 1793 there was also a branch on Great James Street, Bedford Row.

Further surviving instruments by Joshua Done:

• 1780 square piano – National Museum of American History, Washington, USA
• 1789 square piano – Private Collection, Oxford, England
• ca. 1795 square piano – Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Wilson Cotton, London, England
• 1796 square piano – Monart Piano Collection, Colm O’Leary, Enniscorthy, Ireland
• ca. 1805 – 1814 square piano – Collection of June Funk, Orinda, USA