Square Piano 1790

Johann Matthäus Schmahl's "Square Piano" (1790) is a fine example of early piano construction, on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. This instrument features a compact, square-shaped body with a keyboard and a hinged lid that reveals the inner workings of the instrument. The piano’s wooden case is ornately carved with simple yet elegant details, and the instrument rests on four turned legs. This object is an important example of early keyboard instrument craftsmanship.