Grand piano
Maker
James Ball
Date1790-1810 ca.
Place MadeLondon, England, Europe
SignedIn ink on the nameboard: Jacobus Ball Fecit, / Duke Street Grosvenor Square / London.MarkingsOn the back of the nameboard there is an illegible pencil inscription of about 6 or 7 large letters.
DescriptionCompass: FF-c4 (68 notes)
This is a standard English 5½-octave grand piano, as made between about 1790 and 1810. Compass FF-c4 (68 notes); ivory naturals, ebony sharps, molded maple key fronts. Standard English grand action. Two pedals: at the left, una corda or due corde, depending on the setting of the wedge in the treble key block; at the right, dampers. Trichord throughout the compass. Bridge divided between G-sharp and A. Four arched iron gap spacers
Exterior veneered in mahogany with holly stringing and mahogany crossbanding. Keywell veneered in satinwood with narrow black/light stringing and tulipwood crossbanding and an oval holly cartouche for the inscription. Interior case walls veneered in mahogany with holly stringing. Lid mahogany with holly stringing. Standard brass hardware (lid hooks, lid hinges, etc.). Trestle stand of mahogany (except the unseen parts at the top, of beech) with untapered legs molded at the outer edges.
Ivory naturals, ebony sharps, molded maple key fronts. Standard English grand action. Two pedals: at the left, una corda or due corde, depending on the setting of the wedge in the treble key block; at the right, dampers. Trichord throughout the compass. Bridge divided between G-sharp and A. Four arched iron gap spacers.
DimensionsExcluding moldings: 2214 mm long, 1058 wide (measured just in front of the keyboard)
Height: mostly 290 mm
Three-octave measure: 489 mm
ProvenanceGift of Tom and Rachel Williams, Estes Park, Colorado, 2007.
Credit LineGift of Tom and Rachel Williams, 2007
Object number13212
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