19th Century Musical Instruments

Exceptional quality antique C.Bechstein Victorian rosewood boudoir grand piano Model V (1898) having a superb quality rosewood lift up top opening to reveal an ornate adjustable musi...

Antique Swiss 8 Tune Cylinder Music Box Unsigned C1890 4 3/4" x 14 1/4" x 7 1/8". This antique Swiss music box from circa 1890 features a beautifully crafted wooden case with a subt...

An exception Early Thomas Edison Model A Cylinder Phonograph with original horn, tube cabinet & 93 records. Phonograph box and cabinet are made from oak in Late Victorian manner wit...

This is a distinguished late Victorian dinner gong, evoking the grandeur of a Scottish Highland country estate, circa 1880. This superb antique chime fe...

This is a lovely antique Swiss 10 airs Gonçalo Alves cylinder music box, manufactured by Langdorff & Fils, circa 1880. The case is inlaid and crossbanded with floral marquetry and banded decoration. The lid opens to reveal an ebonised interior with a glazed hinged cover showing the comb, and a paper label to the underside of the lid stating 'Fabrique De Geneve' Langdorff & Fils, Fabricants The music box has got its original tune sheet which is stamped: "No 24017 Fabrique de Geneve" and lists the ten tunes and composers. Condition: It is is in excellent condition and in working order. Dimensions in cm: Height 18 cm x Width 69 cm x Depth 27 cm Dimensions in inches: Height 7 inches x Width 2 foot, 3 inches x Depth 11 inches Music box (also musical box) is a 19th/20th century automatic musical instrument that produces sounds by the use of a set of pins placed on a revolving cylinder or disc so as to pluck the tuned teeth (or lamellae) of a steel comb. They were developed from musical snuff boxes of the 18th century and called carillons à musique...

A wonderful and highly decorative desk or counter bell, my favourite kind with the more unusual clapper to the side rather than the ones you ring from the top. The hinged clapper is ...

French Faience Violin Manufacture of Rouen Beginning 1800 with a side pocket and two holes for hanging on the wall by means of a string, missing. This stanniferous glaze majolica vi...

This beautiful grand piano was built by Erard in Paris in 1895. With irreplaceable original cabinet art created and signed by an artist named Finel - specifically commissioned by th...

This Erard parallel-strung grand piano, crafted in Paris in 1845 (serial number: 18725), has been extraordinarily well-tended, restored and maintained, enduring today as not only a spectacular example of the pinnacle of 19th Century piano design - characterized by its innovative construction and exceptional sonoral qualities - but also as a premium instrument by the most advanced modern standards, concert-ready for world-class, discriminating performers and their audiences. Erard was a renowned piano manufacturer established by Sébastien Erard, and for much of the 19th Century, the company produced some of the most exquisite and innovative European pianos of the era. The sound produced by this parallel-strung grand piano is characterized by a clarity and transparency that distinguishes it from its contemporaries. The parallel arrangement of strings contributes to a more direct transfer of sound energy, resulting in a balanced and articulate tone across the instrument's registers. This piano's tone is beloved for its sweetness in the treble range and a robust quality in the bass, while also allowing for an especially nuanced and expressive interpretation of the musical repertoire of its era. The ebony and ivory keyboard is a testament to the meticulous attention Erard paid to the tactile experience of playing. Each key is precision-weighted, providing a responsive touch that allows the pianist to articulate a wide range of dynamics and expressiveness. An interior faux tableau latches to the outer case lid in an open position for maximum concert volume, and rests in a lowered position to maintain a softer, more muted experience. The year 1845 places this Erard instrument in the heart of the Romantic era, a period marked by a surge in musical creativity and emotional expression. Composer/performers like Chopin and Liszt were drawn to Erard grand...

A wonderful and highly decorative desk or counter bell, my favourite kind with the more unusual clapper to the side rather than the ones you ring from the top. The hinged clapper is ...

A fully restored and working Swiss cylinder music box enclosed in a box of polished fruitwood featuring a central floral inlaid medallion on the hinged lid which opens up to reveal ...

Antique English Victorian Hand Crank Mahogany Case Portable Upright Barrel Piano with Gold Gilt Trim. Circa Late 19th Century. Measurements: 45" H x 26" W x 18" D.

English Victorian black lacquered zither with gold floral stenciling and spindle handle (signed)

Steinway & Sons, Baby Grand Model L Piano, Refurbished Satin Ebony, 1911, 88 Keys, Serial Number 146562 This exceptional 1911 Steinway piano, Model 146561, has undergone a complete ...

A Very Fine German 19th Century Louis XVI Style Burr Walnut Bechstein Concert Grand Piano, Serial No. 5655. The beautifully crafted Grand piano, raised on three tapered barrel shaped legs, with an intricately carved ornate music desk and original keys. Circa: 1872. Length: 80 inches (203.2 cm) Width: 59 inches: (149.9 cm) Height (top closed): 38 5/8 inches (98.1 cm) C. Bechstein Pianofortefabrik C. Bechstein Pianofortefabrik AG (also known as Bechstein) is a German manufacturer of pianos, established in 1853 by Carl Bechstein. Before Bechstein Young Carl Bechstein studied and worked in France and England as a piano craftsman, before he became an independent piano maker. His first pianos were made for other companies. C. Bechstein C. Bechstein piano factory was founded on 1 October 1853 by Carl Bechstein in Berlin, Germany. Carl Bechstein set out to manufacture a piano able to withstand the great demands imposed on the instrument by the virtuosi of the time, such as Franz Liszt. In 1857, Hans von Bülow (Liszt's son-in-law) gave the first public performance on a Bechstein grand piano by performing Liszt's Piano Sonata in B minor in Berlin By 1870, with endorsements from Franz Liszt and Hans von Bülow, Bechstein pianos had become a staple in many concert halls and private mansions. By that time three piano makers, all of which were founded in 1853, became established as the industry leaders across the world: Bechstein, Blüthner and Steinway & Sons. In 1881 Bechstein began supplying pianos to Queen Victoria. A gilded art-case piano was delivered to Buckingham Palace, followed by several more Bechstein pianos to Windsor Castle and other royal residences. By January 1886 they were among the piano manufacturers holding a Royal Warrant as a supplier to the Queen. Several British embassies across the world acquired Bechstein pianos. In 1885, Bechstein opened a branch in London, that eventually grew to become the largest showroom and dealership in Europe. By 1890 showrooms had been opened in Paris, Vienna, and Saint Petersburg. On 31 May 1901, Bechstein Hall, built at a cost of £100,000, was opened next to the company's London showroom at 36-40 Wigmore Street. Between 1901 and 1914, C. Bechstein was the largest piano dealership in London. At that time, Bechstein was patronized by the tsars of Russia, the royal families of Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, Sweden, Norway, Austria and Denmark, and other royalty and aristocracy. The list of royal clients of Bechstein may be found on the soundboard of vintage Bechstein pianos made before the Second World War. The list is part of the original Bechstein trademark logo; it can be seen under the strings in the center of a piano's soundboard. The signature of Carl Bechstein The years from the 1870s through 1914 brought Bechstein their most dramatic increase in sales. In 1880 a second Bechstein factory was opened in Berlin, and the third factory was opened in 1897 in Berlin-Kreuzberg. Production reached 3,700 pianos annually in 1900, and 4,600 in 1910, making Bechstein the largest German manufacturer of high-end pianos. At that time, about three quarters of production went to international markets, especially Britain and the Commonwealth, and Russia. Carl Bechstein died in 1900, and the Bechstein company continued to operate under the management of his sons. Between 1900 and 1914 C. Bechstein was one of the leading piano makers in the world, employing 1,200 craftsmen and workers by 1913 and making five thousand pianos per year. First World War C. Bechstein suffered huge property losses in London, Paris, and St. Petersburg during World War I. The largest loss was in London. Although the company's position in the United Kingdom was initially unaffected, with the company still listed as holding a Royal Warrant in January 1915, Warrants to both King George V, and his wife Queen Mary were cancelled on 13 April 1915. Bechstein was not the only musical concern to be affected by growing anti-German sentiment: there were earlier attempts, led by William Boosey, to boycott German music altogether. In 1915, despite being a Baronet and Privy Counsellor, Sir Edgar Speyer, who was then funding the Proms, was forced to leave the country. Following the passing of the Trading with the Enemy Amendment Act 1916 the British arm of the company was wound-up on 5 June 1916, all Bechstein property, including the concert hall and showrooms full of pianos, were seized as "enemy property" and closed. In 1916 the hall was sold as alien property at auction to Debenhams for £56,500. It was renamed Wigmore Hall, and then re-opened under the new name in 1917. All 137 Bechstein pianos at the Bechstein showrooms were confiscated too, and became property of the new owner of the Hall. After a dispute with his brother, Edwin Bechstein left the company and was paid off. Eventually the Bechstein factory resumed full-scale production during the 1920s. At that time, technical innovations and inventions of new materials and tools, as well as improvements in piano design and construction, had allowed Bechstein to become one of the leading piano makers again. The most successful models were the updated "A"-185 and "B"-208 grand pianos. The upright pianos became more popular after the war, and C. Bechstein were successful with its upright pianos Model-8 and Model-9, both of which have been considered the finest upright pianos. As the company was changed into a joint-stock company 1923, Edwin Bechstein and his wife Helene, bought themselves back into the company as shareholders. In 1930 the company collaborated with German electrical goods manufacturer Siemens under Nobel laureate Walther Nernst to produce one of the first electric pianos...

English Regency gilt stenciled figural and floral ebonized dital harp signed by maker Edward Light. Retailed at Srohl Foley place London, Early 19th century.

This pair of beautiful German Art Nouveau two arm bronze candlesticks dates from the 1890's and would make a great addition to a piano or a wall. The two arms have an elegant and sty...

Very rare gadget-System walking stick: stick with the function of a music instrument, a flute. Painted fruitwood shaft, wooden handle. Inside the shaft is hollow, and holes and keys ...

Heavy Bronze Bell, Tower Bell This is a very heavy piece the clapper is a replacement The bell is Sound no cracks and a great long echoing ring The bell is 12.5” in diameter and 1...

An 1861, Erard grand piano with an ornate burr walnut, black and gilt cabinet. Piano casework features Egyptian Revival and Neoclassical elements. Th...

Large oak dinner gong the arch top with lion mask head, and suspended ring, surrounded by carved scrolls and foliage, above two figures supporting the original brass gong. All raised...

19th Century oak floor-standing dinner gong and striker, dating from the Aesthetic Movement period. English - Circa 1870. The gong frame is made in solid oak. The pediment is affix...

19th Century oak dinner gong and beater. The arched top has carved decoration above the barley twist supports. Having suspended brass gong to centre. All raised on scrolling legs. Di...

An early Rochat singing bird box with fusee automaton movement numbered 316 and with stamped three tulip mark in the top plate of the movement. The tortoiseshell case with hinged snuff ( or key) compartment to the rear of the box. The gold lid is finely hand painted in enamel with an excellent alpine scene with a mountain in the background, a lake in the forground. The bezel surrounding the grille through which the bird pops up and down is also of gold. The underside of the lid is also beautifully painted with a posie of flowers on a light blue background. The bird, typically for Rochat, is of a large size for a singing bird box and the grille is typical of Rochat's work rather than Bruguier's. The top of the case with a fine border made from gold. The key wound chain driven fusee movement working the bellows & driving multiple cams that on sliding the operating lever to the front, the lid opens and the bird pops up, sings its head off and 1/ turns its head from left to right, 2/ flaps the wings and finally 3/ pirouettes left and right. On completion of his 20 second performance he drops through the superbly pierced silver gilt grille and the lid closes after him. All fusee movements allow the bird a longer performance than the later spring barrel movements but more importantly one extra manipulation, the movement of the head from left to right. Frères Rochat...

Great decorator piece, strong presence, pictures do no justice. Tanggu drum. The tanggu (堂鼓; pinyin: tánggǔ, pronounced [tʰɑ̌ŋkù]; literally "ceremo...

19th Century dinner gong, having acorn finials above the turned frame supporting the large brass gong. All raised on shaped feet. Dimensions Height 48.5 Inches Width 28.5 Inches Dept...

A very fine Anglo-French 19th century rosewood, palisander, amboyna and satinwood marquetry (inlaid) art-case baby grand piano, the works by "Collard & Collard". The intricately deco...

This rare upright piano was made by Pleyel in France in September 1871 according to the Pleyel Archives found at Musée de la Musique. The natural wood cabinet is beautifully decorated with hand painted floral garlands. The piano sides are square and it has fluted, columnar legs resting on original castors. The instrument...

Italian folk art Pyrography picture signed, H. Toscano This is an original and unusual detailed 1690 enactment , and hand incised work of art on wood pan...

Dutch silver flask in the form of a mandolin with intricate Baroque style decoration, including cranes and a castle among floral arabesques on the front. The reverse depicting a charming scene influenced by Dutch old master genre paintings of two men with two dogs in a fenced yard surrounded by detailed foliage and trees. Complete with a fret and six individual silver wire strings. A tour de force in craftsmanship. No discernible hallmarks. Hinged top reveals a hidden flask...

Antique English Silver Plated Dinner Bell Mounted on an Oak Base, Circa 1890-1900.

French Louis XV-style ormolu mounted kingwood, tulipwood & parquetry grand piano (sgnd C.BECHSTEIN, numbered 20475 for the date 1888)

A very fine and elegant Regency Satinwood and parcel-gilt double action Harp from the workshop of the famous harp and piano maker Sebastian Erard (1752-1831), decorated in the Grecia...

Exceptional and Rare Symphonion Music Box. This stunning and highly rare Symphonion music box is a true masterpiece, famously known as the “Symphonion Eroica”. Its unique mechanism p...

Rare Switzerland mahogany & ebonized hinged music box with the original crank, three interior paper labels, and cylinders. Music box is stamped by maker and is In working condition, ...

A lovely quality antique music box made by Karrer of Geneva, Switzerland in c. 1875. The fully serviced musical movement features a highly attractive arrangement of 6 individually e...

late 19th-century oak framed dinner gong the arched top with turned supports surrounding the original brass gong. To the openwork stretcher with scrolling decoration, on trestle base...

19th C. Antique Swiss Cylinder Roll Music Box 6 Tune Airs with Inlaid Case and Works Very Nicely. Circa 19th Century. Measurements: 5.25" H x 16.75" W x 7.5" D.

The Imperial Company music box with one disc, the disc is titled The Geisha. Refinished mahogany case. The player is in working condition with good tone. Late 19th century.

A magnificent quality six bell and drum cylinder music box made by Charles Lecoultre of Geneva, Switzerland in c. 1870. The fully serviced musical movement features a central drum an...

English Victorian rectangular inlaid music box.  

Antique English Bronze reception bell with original patina. The bell still works great!

Swis music box with original tune sheet, cylinder, comb and the brass bed plate, within a rosewood case, the lid inlaid with boxwood lines and a central motif. Dimensions Height 8 ...

Antique Gothic Revival harp by Erard French, c. 1880 Height 178cm, width 54cm, depth 91cm Of typical form by the famed instrument maker Érard. ...

An impressively large 19th Century carved oak floor-standing dinner gong and striker. British - Circa 1880. Raised on hand carved intertwined mythical beasts, the bronze gong being ...

A wonderful piece! two sided with leather hand painted snare on two sides trimmed in nail heads. The collapsable wooden stand, while making the piece complete, can be put aside and t...

Six antique Regina music box 16.5" discs 19th C Measures - 16.5"diam

A spectacular 19th century Black Chinoiserie lacquered Presentation Steinway & Sons Grand Piano . Model #37278 ,having fall key cover reading Steinway & Sons patent Grand New York &...

This fine antique harp dates from the second half of the 19th century and was made in France by Pleyel, Wolff, Lyon and Cie. The renowned Parisian firm ma...

Antique Swiss Music Box circa 1890.

A magnificent French 19th century Louis XV designed marquetry kingwood Grand Piano . Signed in the bronze by Joseph Zwiener. The finest gilt bronze mounts. 6 legs . The piano works b...

An antique Nepalese leather hand drum from the 19th century, with hand-carved wooden handle. Created in Nepal during the 19th century, this hand-drum fe...

Antique Bruguier fusee singing bird box in silver gilt and enamel. First quality Swiss fusee singing bird box by Bruguier in silver gilt and hand painted enamel in perfect condition....

An antique Thai ceremonial wooden drum from the 19th century, with leather drumhead. Sculptural and freestanding, this 19th century drum, created in Thailand, will make for a great decorative accentuation in any home. Topped with a leather drumhead secured with ropes, the drum is adorned with carved motifs on the belly. With its slender silhouette and rustic appearance, this antique Thai drum...

Antique 19th Century Regency grand military drum, dating to around the 1820. Made from wood, with brass stud work, this drum is painted with a Rule Britannia insignia. The top has a ...

A spectacular French mid-19th century, circa 1855, Louis XVI st. tulipwood parquetry and ormolu mounted, Model 2 Concert Grand Piano, signed Pleyel...

Arts and Crafts Walnut Dinner Gong This is a large hall piece the Brass Gong is hand beaten brass suspended in a beautiful walnut frame, with turnings decorating the top rail, it ...

Antique parquetry wood music box by Nicole Frères Swiss, Late 19th Century Height 24cm, width 87cm, depth 35cm This exquisite antique is a late 19th-century music box, meticulously...