Napoleon III Semi-grand Piano, In Satinwood Parquetry With Gilt Bronze Mounts, By Erard

Napoleon III semi-grand piano, in satinwood parquetry with gilt bronze mount. By Erard, circa 1850. Movement numbered 380. The hinged lid enclosing the movement stamped 380 on the metal frame, bearing the ink inscription "Par Brevet d'Invention"/Seb & Pré Erard/13 and 21 rue du Mail/Paris. Hinged music stand signed Erard under the lid. Ebony and ivory keyboard. Lyre-shaped pedalboard resting on three fluted tapered legs, on casters. Numbered a further two times on the carcass of the pedalboard stamped 9460 and with stencil 99712.

Ivory registration number: AL46LLKA 

Born in Strasburg in 1752, Sébastien Erard established his piano and harp workshop at 45-47 rue la Boétie in 1777. Erard relocated to London during the Revolution where he established a second workshop on Marlborough Street, which in 1856 produced a piano purchased by Queen Victoria in 1856 (now in the White Drawing Room, Buckingham Palace). While still operating the London firm, Erard returned to Paris where he died in 1831. The workshops were then operated by nephew Pierre Erard who supplied pianos for composers including Franz Liszt and Giuseppe Verdi.