Lot Essay
Born in Paris in 1861, Léopold-Pierre-Antoine Savine studied under Injalbert and became a member of the Société des Artistes Français in 1888. Predominantly specialising in allegorical and genre figures, he was a regular contributor to the Salons until 1920, and won a bronze medal at the Paris Exposition Universelle in 1900.
An accomplished composer, Ignace Pleyel began manufacturing pianos in 1807, pioneering the introduction of the metal frame. Under the direction of his son, Camille, the firm went on to win medals at many of the 19th century's International Exhibitions, supplying pianos to the French and other European royal courts, as well as exporting as far as South America and the Far East. According to Pierce's Piano Atlas, the company began operating under the name of Pleyel, Wolff, Lyon & Cie in 1855.
The original model for this piano, a collaboration between Savine and Pleyel, was exhibited at the Salon de la Société des Artistes Français in 1906 and is now in the collection of Pleyel, Wolff, Lyon & Cie. The serial number on the present example dates it nearer to 1910.
An accomplished composer, Ignace Pleyel began manufacturing pianos in 1807, pioneering the introduction of the metal frame. Under the direction of his son, Camille, the firm went on to win medals at many of the 19th century's International Exhibitions, supplying pianos to the French and other European royal courts, as well as exporting as far as South America and the Far East. According to Pierce's Piano Atlas, the company began operating under the name of Pleyel, Wolff, Lyon & Cie in 1855.
The original model for this piano, a collaboration between Savine and Pleyel, was exhibited at the Salon de la Société des Artistes Français in 1906 and is now in the collection of Pleyel, Wolff, Lyon & Cie. The serial number on the present example dates it nearer to 1910.