A French Art Nouveau gilt-bronze-mounted mahogany grand piano**
Prospective purchasers are advised that several co… Read more THE PROPERTY OF A GENTLEMAN 
A French Art Nouveau gilt-bronze-mounted mahogany grand piano**

THE CASE DESIGNED BY LÉOPOLD SAVINE, THE MOVEMENT BY PLEYEL, WOLFF, LYON & CIE., NO. 149443, CIRCA 1906-10

Details
A French Art Nouveau gilt-bronze-mounted mahogany grand piano**
The case designed by Léopold Savine, The movement by Pleyel, Wolff, Lyon & Cie., No. 149443, Circa 1906-10
The hinged top lifting to reveal works cast with pierced PLYL & Cie and soundboard inscribed Pleyel Wolff Lyon & Cie/Paris/France, and 149443, the seven octave ivory keyboard beneath a folding fretwork music stand pierced with PLEYEL, the case carved with meandering foliage between relief plaques cast with nymphs and putti engaged in musical pursuits amongst lily pads, two signed L. Savine, above a lyre-form pedal support applied with masks, the tapering legs headed with masks and musical trophies, each signed and dated L. Savine/1906
Closed: 37¾ in. (95.9 cm.) high; 63 in. (160 cm.) wide; 84 in. (213.5 cm.) long; Open: 75 in. (190.5 cm.) high
Special notice
Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory and tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country.

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.

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