A Napoleon III ormolu-mounted tulipwood and marquetry piano

BY IGNACE PLEYEL & CIE, PARIS, NO. 20919

Details

A Napoleon III ormolu-mounted tulipwood and marquetry piano
By Ignace Pleyel & Cie, Paris, No. 20919
Of serpentine outline, inlaid all-over with foliate panels, the hinged top inset with a circular medallion to the interior, engraved in high relief Medaille d'Honneur A. PLEYEL & Cie/Exposition Universelle 1855, the hinged key cover with monogram HBB, inset to the interior with cut brass signature Medailles d'or 1827, 34, 39, 44./Hors Concours 1849/IGNACE PLEYEL & Compie, Paris, above ivory naturals and ebony accidentals, flanked to each side by a three-branch candelabra with a cherub caryatid support, the front soundboard flanked by a winged caryatid to each side, on block feet, the movment numerously stamped 20919
57 in. (146 cm.) wide; 46 in. (118 cm.) high; 30 in. (77 cm.) deep

Lot Essay

Ignace Pleyel began manufacturing pianos in 1807 and, as the inscriptions on the present piano indicate, the firm won medals at International Exhibitions held in 1827, 1834, 1839, 1844, 1849 and the 1855 Exposition Universelle, at which this fine example was awarded Medaille d'Honneur. According to Pierce's Piano Atlas, the firm operated under the name of Pleyel, Wolff & Cie between 1855 and 1887 when, as the markings on the chinoiserie style lacquered piano also included in this sale (lot 61) would suggest, it became Pleyel, Lyon & Cie.

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