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 cm x width 129 cm x depth 49 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’

Creation

  • Creation

    • musical instrument maker: Zumpe & Buntebart (mentioned on object), London
    • musical instrument maker: John Zumpe
    • musical instrument maker: Gabriel Buntebart

  • Dating

    1773

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Material and technique

  • Physical description

    diverse houtsoorten, ivoor, messing, ijzer, stof, leer

  • Dimensions

    height 76 cm x width 129 cm x depth 49 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

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  • Square piano
  • Square piano
  • Square piano
  • Square piano
  • Square piano