Piano
Collection object
1991.0289
H. 130, Lid 142.1 by 34.7, from back to front of keyboard 66, width of keyboard 117
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Piano, upright, by William T. Cope, 1887. Walnut? veneer finish to outside. 3 fretwork panels on the front; those to left and right inscribed with compass made rosettes in the corners and a depiction of a lyre at centre; the more rectangular central panel also has rosettes at the corner, but at centre is another rosette with scroll decoration around it incorporating heads of grain. Between the outer and central panels are attached two adjustable candlestick holders, both with an integral drip pan, on arms which pivot so that they swing out to illuminate the music. The lid has two brass hinges at the rear, a hinged brass prop/support at the right side to hold it open, and is lockable at the centre, the mechanism and keyhole being housed in the main body. The keys ar of ebony and ivory. attached to the under-side of the keyboard lid is a folding music stand, which can be folded out, when the lid is up, to rest against the central fretwork panel. The lid has a continuous brass hinge along its length, with five leaves each held by three iron screws, on the main body; the continuous leaf is held to the lid by 19 iron screws, in five groups of three opposite the other leaves and a single screw centrally between the groups. On the underside of the lid is a label, gold on black; there are two medallions either side of "Patent/ W.T. Cope/ Manufacturer/ Limerick". The medallion at left shows a crowned shield, with a seated Hibernia in the lower half and 3 buildings? in the upper; there are two female supporters and a motto at bottom "Nostri Plena Laboris", and around the outside "Royal/ Dublin/ Society". At right, across a harp "1st W.T. Cope/ Limerick/ for Pianoforte Making" and around the edge "Irish Artisans Exhibition Dublin" around the edge. A second label also in black and gold is placed at centre between the keyboard and the lid hinge; it is in three sections "Improved/ Trichord", "Iron Grand Construction" and Patent/ Check Action". Lock for lid at centre front. The keyboard is supported an either side by carved brackets resting on a turned baluster. There are two pedals at centre bottom, that on the left being markedly much more worn than that on the right. The piano rests on fours casters. On the inside all strings and hammers are present. Stamped on the wood at right above the strings is "W.T. Cope/ Manufacturer/ Limerick/ 47. There are a couple of worm holes at the left side.
William T Cope (pianoforte and harmonium maker)