THE MOVEMENT BY ERARD, SERIAL NUMBER 8241, 1826-50, THE CASE DECORATED BY B. MARTIN, PARIS, CIRCA 1865

The art collections at Mentmore were among the most outstanding of their kind anywhere in the world, prompting Lady Eastlake to pen after a visit: 'I do not believe that the Medici were ever so lodged at the height of their glory'. Mentmore was built between 1852 and 1854 by Baron Mayer Amschel de Rothschild, who needed a house close to London and in close proximity to other Rothschild homes at Tring, Ascot, Aston Clinton and later Waddeson House and Halton House. The plans for the mansion imitated Wollaton Hall in Nottingham and were drawn up the well-known architect, Joseph Paxton, celebrated for his Crystal Palace, completed the year earlier. Once completed, Baron Mayer filled the house with the most sumptuous furnishings, predominantly with the finest 18th century French furniture, but also with stunning contemporary pieces, such as the present piano. On his death in 1874, Baron Mayer left Mentmore and a fortune of some £2,000,000 to his daughter, Hannah de Rothschild. Four years later Hannah married Archibald Philip, 5th Earl of Rosebery, who added considerably to the collections assembled by his father-in-law.

A related Erard grand piano, with simiarly decorated vernis Martin case, was bought by Queen Victoria in 1856 and is now in the White Drawing Room, Buckingham Palace (see T. Parsons, 100 Treasures of Buckingham Palace, pp. 190-1 and Buckingham Palace Official Guide, pp. 54-5.