Wurlitzer Butterfly Baby Grand Piano Art Deco Streamline

View Similar Items

1939 Art Deco Original Story & Clark "Storytone" Electric Piano and Bench

Wurlitzer Juke Box Model 700 Original and Restored Art Deco Circa 1940

Wurlitzer Juke Box

Yamaha Baby Grand Quality Mahogany Piano

Airline 62-346 Art Deco Restored Tube Radio Bluetooth

Crosley Art Deco 179 "Dual Four" Antique Tombstone '1934' Radio

Wurlitzer Auxiliary #4008 External Speaker Matches JukeBox Bubbler

Vintage 1946 Wurlitzer Model 1015 Bubbler Phonograph Original Rare

Rare Original 1946 Wurlitzer Jukebox 4008 external Speaker, lamp /bubbler

1950's Style Zimmermann Baby Grand Piano Yellow Formica Tubular Steel Piano Lyre

1968 Walnut Yamaha G0 Baby Grand Piano Excellent Soundboard

1951 Steinway Walnut Model M Baby Grand Piano 5'7" 334664

Want more images or videos?

Request additional images or videos from the seller

1 of 21

Wurlitzer Butterfly Baby Grand Piano Art Deco Streamline

About the Item

This 1937 Streamline Art Deco butterfly Wurlitzer Baby grand piano. Wurlitzer 88 key Deluxe has been positively identified as the style 1411. Of the Wurlitzer Butterfly Pianos, this model has the best detail. It has a unique winged shape and is one of the most sought-after Art Deco innovations in piano design. The design of the wood that backs the pedals has great art deco detail. Streamlined elements, including a quartet of raised banding around the body. These are sound port slots that radiate around the case, and allow sound to escape the cabinet. The “winged” lids open to reveal a secondary ported removable inner lid. These lids are decoratively cut out to allow the sound to ring out via a large F hole, similar to a violin, as well as multiple radial slots along the outer edge. The walnut is beautiful, warm, and deeply grained. Although no one knows exactly how many of these were made the number is thought to be approximately 75 that was manufactured in 1937. The “Butterfly” was made in at least two different sizes including a 73 key version in a Duncan Phyfe, Louis XV, or Art Deco style case. The piano offered here is the most professional version of this piano, a standard 88 key model which makes it the most valuable. This piano has been well cared for and has been maintained by technicians during its life as indicated by our most recent service. All the keys are in near perfect shape with no cracks or broken edges. The interior soundboard is maintained, it has been restrung All adjustments completed and It is ready for another 80 years. US Patent 2215097 is simply labeled as PIANO. The design in this patent is credited to Cyril Farny. The patent was filed on April 19th of 1938. The main focus of the patent is detailing the various ways the piano can be ported to allow the sound to escape the rim without opening the lids. The piano actual case design is credited to William Zaiser Developed in a time of great innovation in art, design, and music the Butterfly Piano by Rudolph Wurlitzer is an example of a perfect piece of both form and function.

Creator:
Wurlitzer (Manufacturer)
Dimensions:
Height: 36 in (91.44 cm)Width: 55 in (139.7 cm)Length: 36 in (91.44 cm)
Style:
Art Deco (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Mahogany
Place of Origin:
North America
Period:
1930-1939
Date of Manufacture:
1937
Condition:
Reupholstered. Repaired: repaired soundboard, string replacements. Minor losses. Minor fading.
Seller Location:
Oakland, CA
Reference Number:
Seller: 31971stDibs: LU871425504292