HESSINK'S AUCTIONEERS - Piano Carré by Maison Érard, 1836

Piano Carré by Maison Érard, 1836

The flamed mahogany case inlaid with gilt metal moulding, false top in solid mahogany and raised on two cross shaped legs with small brass wheels. The name board inlaid with satinwood and inscribed: “Par Brevet d’invention Érard à Paris”. 6 octaves and a quarter (do0-fa6) with ivory naturals and ebony accidentals. Forte and Céleste sets controlled by two pedals, mounted in a harp shaped leg stretcher. Improved Érard mechanics, the hammer catcher on the hammer handle allowing faster note repetition. Similarly, the instrument is equipped with the metal bracing and the windchest, improvements that owe to the Érard company.

Inscriptions: false table: "Érard" / "Patented" / "for the metal dam, the bed base table" / "and the perfected mechanism". Address bar: “By Patent of Invention” / “Érard” / “in Paris” / “in” / “Paris” / “Rude Touraine N°6 au Marais”. Acquisition

Dimensions: Total length 1920mm. Height 892mm. Width 875mm.

Estimate: 2.000 – 4.000 euro

 

NOTE

This Érard piano from 1836 represents the quintessence of the French romantic instrument. It was with this type of instrument, as with its grand pianos equipped with double escapements, that the Maison Érard won the highest distinctions at the Paris exhibitions of 1834 and 1839. Érard of France was one of the most illustrious piano manufacturers of all time. All the musical greats played have an Érard grand piano: Mendelssohn, Chopin, Liszt, Verdi, Wagner, Debussy, Ravel, Fauré, Diepenbrock, and many others. Pierre Érard of the Maison Érard, brought a profound change to the house founded by his uncle Sébastien at the end of the 1770s, transformed the factory of the 1820s into a real industrial enterprise.

 For an identical instrument see: Musée De La Musique, Paris, France.

HISTORICAL INFORMATION

Érard House was founded at Paris in 1780 by Sébastien Érard. In 1788 the changed the name to “Érard Brothers, Paris” and in 1903 in “Érard & Cie, Paris”. In 1935 the company changed the name again to “Blondel & Co. Paris” and in 1956 to “Guichard & Cie (Maison Érard). Paris”. The Érard company was also presented in London under the name “Érard & Cie SA. London” from 1792 to 1890.