Square "Work Box" Piano

Technical description: Softwood case veneered with ebony; on the lid exterior a painted oval panel enclosing an outdoor scene said to represent 2 maidens offering gifts at the altar of Diana, the panel and lid corners embellished with metal ornaments; within the lid a gilt medallion representing a Roman head; 2 mahogany strips at either side of the medallion probably later replacements; below the keybed a cedar compartmented sewing tray in a drawer; folding iron handles at sides of case; front panel missing; metal spacer between pinblock and hitchpin rail, passing through center of bridge; laminated pinblock with top layer of mahogany; unpierced tuning pins; keyboard and action slide under soundboard when not in use, pull out for playing; compass F-C (32 keys--pitch not determined), bone naturals, wood accidental blocks painted black on top surface; German action with escapement, brass kapsels; no dampers; double-strung throughout. (L. Libin, 12 Nov. 1976)