Sellers Square Piano

Sellers Square Piano

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Description
This square piano was made by John Sellers in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania around 1794-1796. Because the name board probably came from another maker’s piano, it has been speculated that this instrument could have been made by John Behrent or James Juhan of Philadelphia, or that Sellers rebuilt someone else’s piano. The unusually short compass would suggest an earlier date than Sellers is known, and the action type and knee-lever might indicate that the maker was originally German or Austrian. The piano has a compass of C-f3, and early Prell action, leather hammers, first 10 notes are single-strung and the rest double-strung, with tuning pins on right, 1 knee-lever: dampers, a wood frame, and a mahogany case.
Location
Currently not on view
Object Name
piano
date made
1778-1782
maker
Sellers, John
Place Made
United States: Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
ID Number
MI.291108
catalog number
291108
accession number
59954
Credit Line
Hugo Worch
See more items in
Culture and the Arts: Musical Instruments
Music & Musical Instruments
Pianos
Data Source
National Museum of American History
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