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A GRAND PIANO, JOHN
BROADWOOD AND SONS, LONDON
Rosewood with metal hardware
Height: 40 in (101.6 cm)
Width: 60 in (152.4 cm)
Depth: 75 in (190.5 cm)
Accompanied by a piano stool
A beautifully proportioned grand piano in a rosewood
case centred by a pierced music board, lyre-shaped
pedestal support, hinged top, supported by three
baluster legs terminating in brass castors stamped with
serial number 34744495. Originally imported into India
by H Hobbs & Co, Calcutta.
$ 7,435 ‒ 8,785
Rs 5,50,000 ‒ 6,50,000
This lot is offered at NO RESERVE
The present lot is a magnificent rosewood grand piano from John Broadwood & Sons, one of the oldest, most reputed firms
of piano manufacturers in the UK. Founded in 1728 by Burkat Shudi who had moved to London from Switzerland a decade
prior, the company was originally started as workshop for manufacturing harpsichords. Following his death in 1773, Shudi was
succeeded by his son‒in‒law, John Broadwood, who introduced the first square piano and subsequently began perfecting it.
The name was changed to John Broadwood & Sons, quickly earning a reputation as a leading piano manufacturer. They made
instruments for every British monarch since King George II and have held the Royal Warrant for the longest period.
Broadwood’s pianos have a rich history that extends beyond being favoured by the monarchs. In 1817, Thomas Broadwood met
Beethoven, and gifted him a 6‒octave grand
pianoforte
made from Spanish mahogany, which remained one of the composer’s
most cherished possessions. The same piano was later owned by Franz Liszt, and is now part of the National Museum of History
in Budapest, Hungary. Thirty‒one years later, when Frédéric Chopin visited the Royal Family in England, he was provided a
Broadwood & Sons piano. Broadwood & Sons garnered numerous accolades and won many awards throughout the 19
th
century.
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