By Eavestaff
Located in Buffalo, NY
Seldom seen 1930's Art Deco "MINIPIANO" Pianette by Eavestaff..amazing design and styling.. Nice original condition,, minor bumps and bruises to case.. Retains original piano bench with hinged lid for sheet music.. Will MOST LIKELY need to be tuned,, all keys,,sustain and damper in working order,, Hand delivery avail to New York City or anywhere en route from Buffalo NY
minipiano is a very small upright piano patented by the Brasted brothers in 1934 under the name of their company Eavestaff Ltd.[1] The primary factor that sets a minipiano apart is the fact that the action is positioned below the keyboard, allowing an economical use of space.
first minipiano brought onto the market in 1934 was known as the ‘Pianette’ model and had an Art Deco appearance which was at the time popular in many different fields of art and design.[2] In the fifties another model was sold, and was known as the ‘Royal’ model.
The minipiano contrasted with existing forms of piano produced in London at the time. Relatively small and inexpensive, it enjoyed enormous popularity from the mid-thirties until the fifties. As a result, other manufacturers brought similar forms of diminutive piano onto the market to compete with Brasted's design.[3]
The minipiano ‘Pianette’ model viewed with its original matching stool; the wooden flap at the front of the instrument has been dropped revealing the unique tuning pins at the front of the instrument, although the cover is closed hiding the keys.
In spite of the name, a minipiano is not a toy piano but is instead a patented alternative designed to compete with larger and heavier instruments. The ‘Pianette’ model was the first of its kind.
The development of the pianoforte included many experiments in the size and layout of the instrument. As Hammered Dulcimers developed into Clavichords which in turn influenced the development of the Harpsichord, many sub-families developed as instrument-makers experimented with new techniques and ideas. The minipiano was one of these.
The minipiano’s lid has been completely detached to allow access to the back of the instrument; to do this two screws are removed while the piano lid is open and then after detaching the braceless back by removing a set of screws, two levers release the entire wooden structure, essential for the arduous task of getting at the piano wires.
Comparisons have been made between the minipiano and Pape’s ‘Console Piano’ which had been invented more than a hundred years earlier in 1828.[4] It apparently shared some characteristics and mechanics which were included in the minipiano but not in other pianos. The Eavestaff piano...
Category
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Iron Musical Instruments