Joseph Kirkman c. 1806
Description
| Date: | 1806 |
| Origin: | London |
| Serialnumber: | --- |
Kirkman (written Kirckman until about 1805) was one of the most renowned piano manufacturers in England in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The main production in the 18th century was harpsichords and only from the late 1770s square pianos and fortepianos were manufactured.
The oldest surviving fortepiano built by Abraham & Josephus Kirckman in 1789 is also part of the Eric Feller Collection.
Detailed information about this instrument can be found here – click here!
The square piano described here dates from around 1806. The case of the instrument is made of mahogany with surrounding band inlays made of different woods. The instrument stands on 6 fluted legs. The lower keys are covered with ivory and the upper keys with ebony. The nameboard is made of different woods and decorated with fretwork on the sides and signed in an oval cartouche:
“Joseph Kirkman
Grand Piano Forte Maker
To Her Majesty
No.19 Broad Street, Golden Square
London”
The instrument has a pedal for controlling the dampers, a Double Action and leather-covered hammers. Furthermore, it has two strings per key and the action is covered with the original dust cover. Kirkman instruments are characterized by very high-quality workmanship and a particularly beautiful sound.
Trade Card Joseph Kirkman c. 1795 – The British Museum
Other surviving instruments by Joseph Kirkman:
- c. 1830 Cabinet Piano – Glasgow Museums & Art Galleries, Glasgow England
- c. 1835 Cabinet Piano – Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, Edith Cowan University, Perth Australia
- Grand Fortepiano – Royal Palace Mafra, Portugal
| Length: | 164 cm |
| Width: | 63 cm |
| Height: | 22 cm |
| Circumference: | 5 ½ octaves (FF – c4) |
| Mechanics: | Double Action, single dampers |
| Pedals: | 1 pedal - dampers |
| Signature: |
„Joseph Kirkman Grand Piano Forte Maker To Her Majesty No.19 Broad Street, Golden Square London” |