Square Piano 1791 - 1815

This "Square Piano" crafted by Caspar Katholnik (Katholnig) in the late 18th or early 19th century is a fine example of early keyboard instrument design. The simple, elegant lines and the inlaid decoration of the soundboard reflect a time when pianos were evolving from their harpsichord and clavichord predecessors. The "Square Piano" is a key component of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection of musical instruments, offering a glimpse into the musical history of the late 18th and early 19th centuries.