Toy Square Piano
Though toy instruments like this are referred to as pianos, instead of strings the internal hammers use a simple action to hit metal bars to create their sound. Unusually, this toy piano is in the form of a domestic square piano rather than the more typical grand or upright versions.
Technical description: Rectangular dark-painted tongue-and-grooved case no 4 cabriolet legs, with hinged lid lifting to reveal music rack and 18 graduated steel bars struck by simple hammer action activated by white paper-covered natural keys (C-F, with black accidentals printed on); removable burl-pattern papered nameboard bears manufacturer's inscription.
Technical description: Rectangular dark-painted tongue-and-grooved case no 4 cabriolet legs, with hinged lid lifting to reveal music rack and 18 graduated steel bars struck by simple hammer action activated by white paper-covered natural keys (C-F, with black accidentals printed on); removable burl-pattern papered nameboard bears manufacturer's inscription.
Artwork Details
- Title: Toy Square Piano
- Maker: Charles Martin Crandall (American. Montrose, Pennsylvania 1833–1905 Waverly, New York)
- Date: ca. 1860–80
- Geography: Montrose, Pennsylvania, United States
- Culture: American
- Medium: Wood, metal
- Dimensions: Width across lid: 51.5 cm. (20.25 in.)
Diameter: 25.5 cm. (10.6 in.)
Height without lid: 24.9 cm. (9.8 in.) - Classification: Chordophone-Zither-struck-piano
- Credit Line: Purchase, The Barrington Foundation Inc. Gift, 1994
- Object Number: 1994.89
- Curatorial Department: Musical Instruments
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Loud & Brothers
1831
Robert Nunns
John Clark
1853
Christian Frederick Martin
before 1867
George Hicks
ca. 1860
W. I. Seefeldt
late 19th century
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.