Description

A 1916, German Arts and Crafts, Ibach grand piano with a mahogany case and gate legs. The mahogany cabinet is polished so as to emphasize the quality of the wood used. The rectangular piano lyre features three central, circular rods. The gate legs are also rectangular in style with circular rods. The leg pediment features carved foliage and three black studs. Piano cheeks feature square cut indents and a panel of carved, stylised flowers. The open work music desk has rectangular cut outs and features twisted brass spindles.

One of four ever made

This Ibach piano serial number 49571 is one of four ever made.

Designed by Theodorus Joannes Josephus Cuypers

It was designed by a Dutch architect, Theodorus Joannes Josephus Cuypers (Roermond, 1861 - Meerssen, 1949). Cuypers is chiefly noted as the architect of many Catholic churches. He was a knight of the Order of the Dutch Lion and Knight of the Order of St. Gregory the Great. He was a son of the architect Pierre Cuypers and singer Antoinette Alberdingk Thyme. He trained in Delft at the Polytechnic, where he graduated in 1883 and then worked as an assistant to his father in his business.

Arts and Crafts

The Arts and Crafts Movement was an international design movement that flourished between 1880 and 1910. The movement stood for traditional craftsmanship using simple forms and often applied medieval, romantic or folk styles of decoration. It sought to reassert the importance of design and craftsmanship in all the arts in the face of increasing industrialization, which was felt was sacrificing quality in the pursuit of quantity. Arts and Crafts objects were simple in form, without superfluous or excessive decoration, and how they were constructed was often still visible. They tended to emphasize the qualities of the materials used. The movement was successful in raising the status of the craftsman and promoting respect for native materials and traditions.

This piano features in The Golden Age of Pianos Collection. A collection of unique, art cased pianos from the height of European piano making, for sale exclusively from Besbrode Pianos Leeds

Audio

 
Listen to a recording of this piano: Duke Ellington - Black and Tan Fantasy