Description:
Joachim Ehlers Empire Piano, Vienna, c. 1815, comprised of spruce, walnut, alder, and limewood, seventy-three notes, milk glass plaque on the nameboard flanked by a gilt-bronze border of foliate scrolls and festoons with putti, gilt-bronze candelabrum ornaments surrounding keyboard with ebonized figural masks atop each tapered columnar leg, terminating in gilded stepped foot, maker's name inscribed on the nameboard, lg. 86, wd. 45 in.
Provenance: Sold by the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston for the benefit of the collections. The Edwin M. Ripin Collection. Gift of Leo L. and Phyllis K. Beranek, 1977.162.
E. M. Ripin acquired the instrument in 1967 from Stoddard Lincoln, a New Yorker who had purchased the piano from the Bourbon Street Antique Shop at the 1964 New York World's Fair.
Estimate $2,500-3,500
Lacking internal components, not guaranteed to be in working order. Veneer with age related cracks, minor abrasions, minor losses, scattered restorations (including small patches, replaced hinges, etc.),and scattered worming (particularly to lower edge of case). Interior with water staining. Bottom panel with cracks visible from underside. Name board rubbed and cracked in a number of places. Bone keys with some shrinkage cracks. Ebonized pedal holder and gilded feet later. Scattered chipped loss to legs.
The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Condition requests can be obtained via email (lot inquiry button) or by telephone to the appropriate gallery location (Boston/617.350.5400 or Marlborough/508.970.3000). Any condition statement given, as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Skinner Inc. shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.
Keywords
Phyllis K. Beranek, Joachim Ehlers, LincolnStuart Slavid
Senior Vice President
Director of Fine Ceramics
Director of Fine Silver
Director of European Furniture & Decorative Arts
508-970-3203
Emily Stegner
Specialist, European Furniture & Decorative Arts
508-970-3203
Stephanie Opolski
Appraiser
508-970-3000
European Furniture & Decorative Arts
The European Furniture & Decorative Arts department curates auctions of English, French, German, Italian, Dutch, and Russian antiques, furniture, and decorative arts.