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The Square Piano was the mainstay of the American home during the latter half of the 19th century, and the Chickering Company was at the very forefront of innovation at the time. Superior action design, and the first patented use of the full iron frame provide this piece with tone quality and repetition speed unrivaled by most other manufacturers of this period. Brahms, Liszt, Strauss, and Tchaikovski were still composing in 1858, when this piano rolled out of Chickering's Boston factory. Such Romantic era music can be faithfully reproduced on this period piano, and the cabinet beautifully reflects the early Victorian style. Not to be confused with modern pianos, this historical piano stands as a link to our musical past. Click here to learn what the Piano Technicians Guild has to say about square pianos.
The Smithsonian Insititution considers this piano to be of such historical significance to include it in the museum's "Piano 300" Exibition now on display in Washington, D. C. Click here to see pictures of their Chickering Square Piano for comparison, it is the fifth piano from the top of their page.
37" high x 33" x 71"
Contact E mail or phone (802) 525-3115 to inquire.
In this view of the action, or working mechanism of the piano, you can see the original hammers and of more significance, the "repetition lever" directly below the green felt. This lever, not usually found in square pianos, is the basis of the "double escapement" design. The same exact action (excluding the dampers) can be found on Chickering concert grand pianos of the period.
Extra thick original ivories cover most of the keys, with three genuine ivory replacements in the high treble section. The original finish has been left intact. The cabinet has been "touched-up" and some lost veneer has been replaced. Steel casters are functional but out of sight supporting the four legs. The original fallboard lock works perfectly.
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Detail view of the full iron frame patented by Jonas Chickering. Starting at the back, one can see the tuning pins, blue stringing felt, new copper wound and plain strings. Action parts visible are the dampers, and below the strings, the 90º angled bass hammers.
View of the treble end of the piano. The plate casting reads "Chickering Pianos, Tremont St. Boston." The serpeintine bridge, visable beneath the strings, transfers the vibration of the strings to the soundboard.
The closed view of the piano.
© 2008, John A. Young