EARLY 19TH CENTURY, PROBABLY BY ERARD

Sébastien Erard (1752-1831) was born in Strasbourg to a family of carvers, gilders and cabinet makers, family links which were undoubtedly a strong formative influence and determined his choice of career. At the age of sixteen he moved to Paris where he founded the Erard Firm during the 1770s. In 1787, at the outbreak of the French Revolution, due to his close links with the Bourbon court, Erard was forced to flee France. He found refuge in England, settling in London and opening a business at 18 Great Marlborough St, Soho, in 1792. He was a dynamic inventor and entrepreneur and the firm played an important part in the development of musical instruments, perfecting the Double Action Harp (allowing it to play in many keys) in 1811 and patenting the double escapement piano (which allowed the hammer to leave the string quickly to allow vibration) in 1824. Besides harps and pianos, the firm also sold cases, 'music desks', extra strings and various models of music stands, often decorated with their signature japanned and gilded work.