Exceptional French Louis XV style art-case burlwood grand piano, Erard, Paris, shaped bombe case with bronze dore mounts and Vernis-Martin style painted decoration, depicting pastoral figures and courting couples in a landscape, scenes set against architectural backgrounds, mounted with ribbon-bound scrolling foliate trim, interior of lid and fallboard with painted floral motifs, rising on cabriole legs headed by putti in drapery, each seated against a latticed niche, ending on paw foot sabots, hinged fallboard revealing branded plaque above keys, soundboard marked "Par Brevet d'Invention Erard a Paris," operational status unknown, overall: approx 39"h, 66"w, 103"d **Provenance: Property from a distinguished private collection** 08.18.26: Please note that I am not a piano expert and cannot speak to the condition or operational status of the soundboard/ functions, from a physical examination only, I note that the painted decoration is overall well-maintained, UV light examination reveals some typical minute flaked or rubbed losses, some with small fills or inpainted concealment, as well as scattered minor seams or craquelure, all bronze elements appear to be present, and remain securely mounted to the case, many of the screws appear later-added/ modern, some in a gilt-painted finish for concealment purposes, the lid and fallboard remain tight on hinges, the bronze having typical light tonal variations associated with patination and spotting, also with minor pitting, the piano keys with typical minor chips to ends, as well as varied degrees of yellowing, one key intact with a stable hairline, and there is sparse typical minor surface wear to the case including minute chips near edges commensurate with age and use

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