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," lacking music desk and pedal, overall: approx 39"h, 66"w, 103"d **Provenance: Property from a distinguished private collection**
09/11/2026: In my opinion regarding LOT : 3210- 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, rubs, minor nicks and small losses to case, all bronze elements appear to be present, and are mostly secure, there are a few noted to be a bit loose, it is unknown if all are original, many of the screws appear to likely be 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 touchups, patination and spotting, also with minor pitting, the piano keys with some replacements, typical minor chips to ends, as well as varied degrees of yellowing, splits and some cracks, and there is typical minor surface wear and minor losses to the case including minute chips near edges, central pedal and music desk are missing
Piano Works Inc, Austin, Texas evaluation: No visible serial number found, pedal lyre and music desk are not present at this time, keys are with splits and cracks, as well as replacements, while some keys create sound, there are dead keys, the interior works are in need of total and complete rebuilding and restoration due to overall internal condition
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