Name/Title
Square Grand PianoEntry/Object ID
1972.174.1Description
Square grand piano made of rosewood. The piano has fluted tapered legs and is playable aside from a few missing strings. It has gold lettering above the keys which read: "Jacob Chickering, Boston."Context
This instrument is called a square piano. Despite the name, the piano is not in the shape of a square. However, it differs from modern variations in that its strings run sideways in a horizontal pattern rather than a vertical one.
As evidenced by the name noted above the keys, this square piano was made by Jacob Chickering (1806–1887), who operated out of a wareroom at 300 Washington Street in Boston. His name is not to be confused with Jonas Chickering (1798–1853), another Bostonian piano manufacturer who co-founded the esteemed Chickering & Sons. Attempting to clarify the confusion in an advertisement from 1854, Jacob wrote "As it is the wish of Jacob Chickering to obtain the confidence of the community, he deems it proper to state that, with the exception of Mr. Jonas Chickering's establishment, there is no other person of the name who manufactures Pianos, the other establishments bearing such a name having ceased to exist. Some misconception having heretofore existed on this subject, Mr. Jacob Chickering avails himself this opportunity to explain it away."
Despite being the most common type of piano in the 1800s, square pianos were most commonly owned by the wealthy elite due to their price. At the time, pianos produced by Chickering & Sons sold for $475, or nearly $17,000 today. Square pianos were particularly popular among women of high society who received classical training in the piano and other instruments, like the harp and violin.Made/Created
Manufacturer
Jacob ChickeringDate made
circa 1845Dimensions
Height
36 inDepth
33 inLength
72 in
