Antique Dollhouse Piano Painted Metal, Two Mounted Candles 3. 5 " Tall 1890s
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:36655139 | Material: Metal |
| Room: Library, Study, Living Room, Music Room | Type: Piano |
| Brand: Unknown | Features: Antique |
| UPC: Does not apply |
This exquisitely-made piano recalls a different time, when the family gathered around the piano to enjoy singing instead of dispersing to their electronics. It's perfect for a dollhouse or collection, and dates from the 1890s.
The maker crafted many details:-- a keyboard cover that rotates up and down-- two mounted candles, hinged so they can be moved left & right to optimize light for the musician-- foot pedals and extensive trim that are painted as if brass, while the re...mainder is painted black-- a 6-octave keyboard with clearly-painted black & white keys-- elaborate engraving, even on the sides (Photo 2), that you can feel when running your finger lightly over it
The scale is ~1:18 based on 1.5" from floor to keyboard (my life-size piano's keyboard is 27") and 3.5" to highest point (estimating a real upright piano of that time was ~5').
The original owner in my family lived in a German immigrant area of Cincinnati at a time when dollhouses & furnishings were dominated by German makers, but I see no brand markings.
The piano is in remarkable condition at 125 years old, but age is evident. The photos show the paint has flaked off in places, and the metal plane behind the foot pedals curves a bit inward (with skill it could be pulled out but I was too scared to try). The soft metal of the candlesticks has drooped a little, and the top lid doesn't line up exactly with the 4 vertical sides.
The photos show front, top, sides, bottom, scale, and angles, plus the candles and keyboard cover in different positions. Thank you for looking.
The maker crafted many details:-- a keyboard cover that rotates up and down-- two mounted candles, hinged so they can be moved left & right to optimize light for the musician-- foot pedals and extensive trim that are painted as if brass, while the re...mainder is painted black-- a 6-octave keyboard with clearly-painted black & white keys-- elaborate engraving, even on the sides (Photo 2), that you can feel when running your finger lightly over it
The scale is ~1:18 based on 1.5" from floor to keyboard (my life-size piano's keyboard is 27") and 3.5" to highest point (estimating a real upright piano of that time was ~5').
The original owner in my family lived in a German immigrant area of Cincinnati at a time when dollhouses & furnishings were dominated by German makers, but I see no brand markings.
The piano is in remarkable condition at 125 years old, but age is evident. The photos show the paint has flaked off in places, and the metal plane behind the foot pedals curves a bit inward (with skill it could be pulled out but I was too scared to try). The soft metal of the candlesticks has drooped a little, and the top lid doesn't line up exactly with the 4 vertical sides.
The photos show front, top, sides, bottom, scale, and angles, plus the candles and keyboard cover in different positions. Thank you for looking.
