Square piano by Joseph Anton Knam, Vienna, circa 1830, the c...

Estimate

£1,000 - £1,500

Square piano by Joseph Anton Knam, Vienna, circa 1830, the case of walnut with rounded corners, the six-octave keyboard, FF to f4, with bone naturals and ebony accidentals, Viennese action, the pedal lyre with three pedals controlling the moderator, bassoon and damper-lift, on four octagonal tapered legs, inscribed on a porcelain plaque in a brass frame J A Knam Burger in Wien, length 59.5", 151cm, width 21", 53.5cm

*Restored by Lucy Coad in 2012 and sold with her report on the restoration

More Information

CONDITION REPORT November 2024

Lot 2502

CONTINENTAL SQUARE by KNAM

Square piano by Joseph Anton Knam, Vienna, circa 1830.

Details:

The case of walnut with rounded corners, the six-octave keyboard, FF to f4, with bone naturals and ebony accidentals.

Viennese ‘prell’ action, the pedal lyre with three pedals controlling the moderator, bassoon and damper-lift, on four octagonal tapered legs.

Inscribed on a porcelain plaque in a brass frame ‘J. A. Knam Burger in Wien’

Length 59.5", 151cm, width 21", 53.5cm

Restored by Lucy Coad in 2012 and sold with her report on the restoration.

Condition:

The pitch is now a tone and a half below modern concert pitch, although re-stringing in 2012 calculated the gauges suitable for a pitch of A415Hz.

There is a small parting of the hitch plank from the case side in the middle section – but looking at records from the 2012 restoration this was present then and has not got significantly wider. However, it could be that this lower pitch is helping the stability of the structure in its present state.

Replacement tuning pins (from old stock), music desk and bassoon stop. Also a few replacement dampers.

The piano is in good working order but requires servicing and a small amount of regulation to ease sticking notes.

Dampers require attention for full function.

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.