Erard Grand Piano, Circa 1900, 仿制路易十五1769年宫廷钢琴
Joseph-Emmanuel Zwiener
FL. Circa 1875-1900
An Important and Rare Grand Piano Paris, Circa 1900
the movement of Erard, veneered in amaranth, sycamore. and fruitwood marquetry and opening to reveal a birds eye maple veneered interior, inscribed Par Brevet d'Invention Seb. & Pre Erard 13 & 21 rue du Mail Paris, stenciled number 84325 for the serial number movement, the keyboard lid signed in brass inlaid cursive letters Erard/Paris, all gilt bronze mounts with mercurial gilding and two toned burnishing, one lion head cast chute has been removed to reveal the mark ZN from the bronze master model.
height 3 ft. 5 in.; width 5 ft. 2 in. length 7 ft. 6 in.


The present magnificent grand piano is clearly based on King Louis XV's unique roll top desk, known as the Bureau du Roi, which was of the most famous and highly copied works of 18th century French Furniture. The construction of this extraordinary piece began in 1760 by Jean-Francois Qeben, and was finally delivered to the King in May, 1769, after its completion bt Oeben's successor, Jean-Henri Riesener. This desk, which took numerous craftsman and 'nine years of painstaking work to bring it to perfection', dominated all of Riesner's work.