Lot 772 D‡α

A Napoleon III piano

Tortoiseshell and engraved brass on hard and softwood, ebonised hardwood, ivory, black tinted ivory, ormolu, red silk. An upright piano designed to stand against a wall, decorated on three sides with tortoiseshell marquetry, with a textile covering to the reverse. Of narrow rectangular form, the keyboard flanked by two scrolls. The lid and keyboard cover hinged. With carrying handles to both sides. The upper angles applied with two caryatids, the centre with a putto playing a lute amid rocailles as an allegory of music. With two twisting candle arms. Signed above the keyboard "Garbe Rue St. Maur 131, Paris." One pedal broken (but extant), the lid loose, minor losses to the marquetry, some brass mountings loose, the textile torn, in need of restoration. H 129, W ca. 144, D 57 cm.
Paris, Charles Garbe, ca. 1859 / 3rd quarter 19th C.