Cabinet piano (Apollo piano) c. 1815 - 1820

Curator: Standing before us is a cabinet piano, an "Apollo piano" crafted around 1815 to 1820 by Meincke and Pieter Meijer. Editor: My goodness, it's a monumental piece, isn't it? Simultaneously elegant and imposing. The woodwork almost gives it a sort of ecclesiastical vibe, like a chapel organ or something. Curator: The choice of wood is particularly striking; we see both carved and veneered elements, and also metal details. Consider the context, the materials available, the craftsmanship invested here. This isn't merely furniture; it's a declaration of wealth and artistic aspiration. Editor: Exactly. I find myself pondering the lives and spaces this object inhabited. Who played it, and what kind of music filled those rooms? It's not hard to imagine this instrument tucked into the corner of a grand salon! The texture of the wood also looks lovely to the touch. Curator: You're right, it offers a glimpse into the intersection of neoclassicism and decorative art during that era. It also begs a closer consideration to the social function of music, and the culture surrounding musical instrument manufacture. We need to question how this instrument would impact its owner in a bourgeois society. Editor: Absolutely! Plus, have you considered how a modern eye interprets such ornate designs? It seems like an anachronism. We may look at this design and think to ourselves about contemporary designs being more muted in our technological societies. Curator: Precisely! By understanding these pianos as artifacts deeply rooted in their historical circumstances, we gain a greater understanding of society at the time. Editor: Well said! I’ll probably think about that fan pattern all day, though! That piece surely is something to behold.