3-009-030 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The International Exhibition: oblique grand pianoforte by Collard and Collard, 1862. 'This pianoforte...is one of the most beautiful instruments of the kind in the exhibition. It is an oblique grand pianoforte, so called from the fact of the strings running obliquely or diagonally from one corner of the instrument to the other, instead of vertically, as in the ordinary cottage piano; the object of so placing the strings being to obtain greater length of string and consequent power, without the inconvenience of increasing the height of the instrument. These instruments have more of the quality of tone and power of the grand pianoforte - hence the term "oblique grand," although this class of instrument is of the upright form. The case of the piano is of very choice satin- wood, richly carved and gilt, and designed in the Italian style. Tho frieze and the ornaments of the lower panels are delicately carved and gilt, and are perforated, and lined behind with blue silk. The gilding is nicely subdued in tone, and harmonises well with the brilliant amber of the satinwood; and the decoration of the instrument altogether has an exceedingly rich and chaste effect'. From "Illustrated London News", 1862.