Grand piano by Johann Fritz, Vienna, circa 1813, the case ve...

Hammer

£20,000

Grand piano by Johann Fritz, Vienna, circa 1813, the case veneered with Hungarian ash, the fascia-board ebonised and overlaid with scrolling floral brasswork incorporating putti and both cheeks decorated with a brass eagle, the six-octave keyboard, FF to f4, with ivory naturals with bone facings and ebony accidentals, Viennese action, four pedals mounted on a replacement yoke controlling (left to right) una corda, moderator, damper-lift and janissary and knee lever controlling the bassoon stop, with a replacement lyre controlling the keyboard shift, ebonised music desk, raised on four square tapering legs with ebonised collars faced with gilded acanthus leaves and other mouldings, inscribed on a ceramic plaque in a brass frame Johann Fritz in Wien,  the paper name label on the soundboard is a copy taken from a similar Fritz piano and placed where shadow lines showed the original to be on this instrument, length 88", 223.5cm, width 45.5"m 115.5cm

*Restored by Lucy Coad and Calvin Talbot in 2004 and sold with their report on the restoration

**Ivory submission reference T8DTB2YF

More Information

CONDITION REPORT November 2024

Lot 2513

FRITZ GRAND Grand piano by Johann Fritz, Vienna, circa 1813.

Details:

6 octaves, 4 pedals and a knee lever.

The case veneered with Hungarian ash, the fascia-board ebonised and overlaid with scrolling floral brasswork, incorporating putti and both cheeks decorated with a brass eagle. The six-octave keyboard, FF to f4, with ivory naturals, bone facings and ebony accidentals.

Viennese action, four pedals mounted on a replacement yoke controlling (left to right) una corda, moderator (new), damper-lift and janissary (new) and knee lever controlling the bassoon stop (new). All replacement parts are authentic copies.

A replacement lyre, trapwork and ebonised music desk.

Raised on four square tapering legs with ebonised collars faced with gilded acanthus leaves and other mouldings, inscribed on the original ceramic plaque in a brass frame ‘Johann Fritz in Wien’.

Length 88", 223.5cm, width 45.5", 115.5cm.

Original gauge marks stamped on wrest plank.

The paper name label on the soundboard is a copy taken from a similar Fritz piano and placed where shadow lines showed the original to be on this instrument.

Restored by Lucy Coad and Calvin Talbot in 2004 and sold with their report on the restoration.

Condition:

The structural components seem solid, although there is a slight bow to the wrest plank and small movement on the right side joint. Checking on photographs before restoration both these points have not changed since restoration in 2004, so are considered stable.

See you Friday!


This piano is in very good working order, albeit improved with minor regulation and further tunings. Noise from the Una Corda when activated can be easily rectified.

The tuning is very close to A415 Hz and the string gauges are calculated for this pitch.

Small amounts of rust on the strings could be gently removed but this may have affected their longevity.

20 new hammers but mostly the action is in good original condition with many surviving cloths and leathers, either extant on the instrument or carefully saved.

Both soundboard and hitch plank re-glued in 2004 are firmly attached.

Exceptionally attractive casework with a good patina.

Observations noted in the condition report are based on obvious signs to the naked eye from an experienced restorer. They are designed for quick analysis of their condition, leaving interested parties to carry out their own personal inspection. Please note that actions have not been removed from instruments.