Mathushek Square Victorian Piano Brazilian Rosewood - built circa 1873 Start Price USD 8,000.00 Current Price USD 8,000.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Tuesday, September 02, 2008 End Time Tuesday, September 09, 2008 Location Darby, MT See more about 'Mathushek Square Victorian Piano' Description   Mathushek built high quality, expensive pianos from 1852-1958, one of the few American piano manufacturers to survive well over a century.     AGE:  According to the serial number, the piano was built circa 1873.  It is made of Brazilian Rosewood and is of the Rococo Victorian style.  Today, Brazilian Rosewood is endangered and nearly impossible to get in this country.  It is highly desireable as a result.     The Victorian Square Grand Piano These magnificent instruments were once very popular in both America and Europe during the Victorian era. They were produced from about 1850 to about 1880, and were usually hand made with intricately carved rosewood, mahogany, or ebony cabinets. The last known production of square pianos seems to be about 1885 due to the new popularity of the upright piano. Before the upright piano gained its popularity in the late 19th century, the square grand piano was the instrument of choice in most fashionable homes. Although it is quite large and striking in appearance, it's tone is very different than contemporary instruments. The square piano sounds reminiscent of the early pianoforte of Mozart's era with a tone that is best described as having a soft, harp-like quality. This instrument was well suited for small intimate gatherings, which were commonplace among the Victorians. At that time, society was accustomed to the square piano's delicate tone quality because it had been set as the standard for well over a hundred years.  The new and more powerful grand and upright pianos of the 19th century were initially considered harsh and unpleasant to listen to, so the more primitive square piano remained popular with the general public well into the 20th century. Today, society is accustomed to the tone of the conventional piano, so square pianos sound very light and delicate to modern listeners.   Musicians and collectors alike have begun to realize how valuable and historically significant these instruments really are. Most piano tuners, on the other hand, are intimidated by square pianos and frequently advise against investing in their preservation. Because of this sort of attitude among professionals in the piano industry, many people have been given the misconception that "square pianos are white elephants worth only their weight in firewood.   For the past decade, there has been a growing interest in these instruments. This revival of the square piano has caused the demand for these instruments to increase significantly, as well as their value. Since restored square pianos have the potential to be worth thousands of dollars, many collectors consider them to be good investments. Many Victorian homes are either purchasing square pianos or having their heirloom instrument restored to complete their music room or parlor.   This piano is in need of restoration.  Pianos are made of materials that tend to deteriorate over time.  Felt, leather and rubber tends to simply break down and rot over the years, making it necessary for these materials to be replaced.  When a piano is in tune, there are approximately 17 tons of tension on the strings, and old, worn out strings just won't hold it.  Most piano tuners don't like to tune vintage pianos because the strings tend to break under tension.  Decades of rust, corrosion and deterioration simply break these strings down over time.  Many people approach us with the assumption that their piano just needs a good "tune up" to be in perfect playing condition...that simply isn't the case!  These people are amazed to learn that restoration is almost always necessary on these vintage instruments.     Place a Bid!