Viennese action. Single bridge. An ornate lyre mounted on the front leg stretcher, the latter with seven pedals: una-corda, bassoon, dampers, double moderato, moderator and two combinations of Janissary effects. The case, possibly Laburnum, with ebonized skirting and case corners. Raised on four carved caryatid legs. The painted and lacquered convex nameboard probably depicting Ovid’s version of the fall of Phaethon (probably hinting at the fall from power of Napoleon). Keyboard Range: FF-f4.
This is a fortepiano grand de-luxe, built by Georg Haschka in Vienna between 1812-1815. This fortepiano with Viennese action has seven pedals: una-corda, bassoon, dampers, double moderator, moderator and two combinations of Janissary effects, one bell and drum and one solely with bell. The piano is raised on four carved caryatid legs. Interestingly, these are depictions of black women, which were usually a symbol of the African continent. The painted convex nameboard depicts the story of Phaethon’s fall in Ovid’s Metamorphoses, hinting at the fall of Napoleon. This was a very expensive instrument, but since Europe was in Napoleonic crisis, local wood (laburnum) and bone were used instead of mahogany and ivory. Only a few instruments by Georg Haschka and his son survive today.
Serial Number: 113
