An fine early square piano, of which this one is circa 1815.

Cabinet: Solid mahogany case with simple ebony inlay banding. Federal style with six small (3") tapered turned legs with brass collars. Original wooden pedal and pedal leg. Rosewood nameboard with brass inlay. Refinished.

Dimensions: 68 ½" x 25" , 33" from top of case to floor.

Action: Early English action with escapement. Very light and responsive. Single bridge throughout; original tapered tuning pins; all wood frame but with small metal brace underneath added to prevent warping.

Very nice early instrument by a very reputable quality builder. Mozart's and Clementi's music come alive on this and seem right at home; the fast passages are so much easier to play because of the light touch, the shallow key dip, and the slightly more narrow octave span. The Clementi and the Astor were two of the most prominently imported instruments in the U.S. in the first two decades of the 19th century.

M. Clementi & Co. Square Piano
Date: Ca. 1815 - 1820

Serial #: 13249

Keyboard compass: 68 notes 5 ½ octaves

Key covering: original ivory with boxwood molded fronts and ebony capped sharps.