Square piano

Zumpe & Buntebart (mentioned on object), 1773

The grand piano, invented by Bartolomeo Cristofori (1655–1731) in Florence around 1700, did not become popular until about 1785. The German Johannes Zumpe, working in London around 1763, was first to inspire general interest in this instrument. Charles Burney (1726–1814) wrote that Zumpe’s square pianos caught on because of ‘their low price, and the convenience of their form, as well as power of expression.’

Artwork typekeyboard instrument, musical instrument, stringed instrument, pianoforte, square pianoforte
Object numberBK-KOG-733
Dimensionsheight 76.0 cm x width 129.0 cm x depth 49.0 cm
Physical characteristicsdiverse houtsoorten, ivoor, messing, ijzer, stof, leer

Identification

Title(s)
Square piano
Object type
Object number
BK-KOG-733
Description
Tafelpiano.
Inscriptions / marks
signature: ‘Johannes Zumpe Londini Fecerunt 1773 // et Buntebart Princes Street Hanover Square’
Catalogue reference
- L.G. Langwill, 'Musikinstrumenten-Sammlung des Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam ausgestellt im Gemeente Museum, Den Haag 9. Oktober - 24. November 1952', Glareana: Nachrichten der Gesellschaft der Freunde alter Musikinstrumente 2, nr. 2 (1953), p. 1-3: 2
- Edward L. Kottick, George H. Lucktenberg, 'Early keyboard instruments in European museums', Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1997, p. 167
- Pascale Vandervellen, 'Le piano de style en Europe dès origines à 1850 : étude des éléments décoratifs et mécaniques', Liège: Mardaga, 1994, p. 140
- Giovanni Paolo Di Stefano, 'Storia del pianoforte dalle origini ai nostri giorni', Il pianoforte, a cura di Ala Botti Caselli, Torino: EDT, 2018, p. 1-74: 26, Tav. 7

Creation

Creation
- musical instrument maker: Zumpe & Buntebart (mentioned on object), London
- musical instrument maker: John Zumpe
- musical instrument maker: Buntebart, Gabriel
Dating
1773
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Material and technique

Physical description
diverse houtsoorten, ivoor, messing, ijzer, stof, leer
Material
Dimensions
height 76.0 cm x width 129.0 cm x depth 49.0 cm

Acquisition and rights

Credit line
On loan from the Koninklijk Oudheidkundig Genootschap
Copyright
Public domain

Documentation

- L.G. Langwill, 'Musikinstrumenten-Sammlung des Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam ausgestellt im Gemeente Museum, Den Haag 9. Oktober - 24. November 1952', Glareana: Nachrichten der Gesellschaft der Freunde alter Musikinstrumente 2, nr. 2 (1953), p. 1-3: 2
- Edward L. Kottick, George H. Lucktenberg, 'Early keyboard instruments in European museums', Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1997, p. 167
- Pascale Vandervellen, 'Le piano de style en Europe dès origines à 1850 : étude des éléments décoratifs et mécaniques', Liège: Mardaga, 1994, p. 140
- Giovanni Paolo Di Stefano, 'Storia del pianoforte dalle origini ai nostri giorni', Il pianoforte, a cura di Ala Botti Caselli, Torino: EDT, 2018, p. 1-74: 26, Tav. 7

Persistent URL

To refer to this object, please use the following persistent URL:
https://id.rijksmuseum.nl/20077671