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Decorative arts

Piano

1 of 14
Type
Decorative arts(Opens in new tab)
Date
1904
Accession number
2007.4
Maker
Guild of Handicraft(Opens in new tab) (British, 1888–1909)
Designer
designed by Charles Robert Ashbee(Opens in new tab) (British, 1863–1942)
Dimensions
47 1/4 x 54 x 25 in. (120 x 137.2 x 63.5 cm.)
Medium
mahogany with holly inlay, veneered light wood and wrought iron
Description
A rare Spanish mahogany and holly inlaid upright piano with light wood interior and wrought-iron strapwork hinges.
Credit
The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens. Purchased with funds from the Art Collectors' Council and the Schweppe Art Acquisitions Fund
Department
European Art
Find out more
View in the Art Museum catalog(Opens in new tab)
Ashbee designed at least five upright pianos for the English firm of Broadwood and Sons. For this piano, based on his fourth design, he extended the top and sides out to the front and then closed it in like a cupboard. Its formal, rectilinear shape is a bold departure from conventional piano design. It shows Ashbee's belief in the ability of the piano to make an important statement in the modern interior.

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