Late Victorian Steinway Marquetry Model B Piano

Lot 512

About Seller

274 Cedar Hill Street
Marlborough, MA 01752
United States

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Bid Increments

Price	Bid Increment
$0	$10
$100	$25
$500	$50
$1,000	$100
$3,000	$250
$5,000	$500
$10,000	$1,000
$30,000	$2,500
$50,000	$5,000
$100,000	$10,000
$300,000	$25,000
$500,000	$50,000
$1,000,000	$100,000

About Auction

European Furniture & Decorative Arts by Bonhams Skinner

Live

European Furniture & Decorative Arts

By Bonhams Skinner

Jul 15, 2016 - Jul 16, 2016

Set Reminder 2016-07-15 10:00:00 2016-07-16 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : European Furniture & Decorative Arts https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/skinner/european-furniture-decorative-arts-1592 Bonhams Skinner bidsquare@bonhamsskinner.com

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Lot Description

Late Victorian Steinway Marquetry Model B Piano, c. 1890, serial number B69430, inscribed above keyboard "Cottier & Co. Designers New York/Steinway & Sons Makers," of exotic woods and inlaid with swags, ribboned garlands on case, rosette S-scrolls and vinework, 85-note keyboard, bearing inscription under lid surrounded by a fruited rosebud motif "CALL IN SWEET MUSIC/I HAVE HEARD SOFT AIRS/CAN CHARM OUR SENSE/AND EXPEL OUR CARES," underside of lid having a polychrome Tonalist-style painted figural verdant landscape scene framed by fruited and rosette garlands and a single ray-eye motif, on tapered collared straight legs with a curvate and serpentine stretcher, and a lyre-form support at foot pedals, approx. ht. 39, wd. 55, lg. 82 1/2 in.

Provenance: From the Estate of Paul Lauer.

N.B. Steinway has provided the following information to support this entry: "serial number 69430 corresponds in our records to a New York Grand Model B Fancy White Holly by Cottier & Company, 7 octaves (85 notes), length 6'10 1/2", completed by Steinway & Sons on October 21, 1890, and delivered to Cottier & Company of New York City on November 29, 1890." Steinway began its "Art Case" department in 1857, a department which grew in popularity particularly toward the latter half of the 19th century, when this piano was designed by Scottish born Daniel Cottier's design firm "Cottier & Co." and was probably sold directly to him through the art case division. The piano was likely made for a specific buyer who commissioned Cottier & Co. for the design. Cottier, a key figure in the Aesthetic Movement, was a stained glass artist, decorator, furniture maker, and designer, working on churches in New York, Boston, and Scotland. His interest in stained glass design motifs can be seen in the intricate marquetry and polychrome design motifs of this piano's case and the interior of the lid.
Estimate $10,000-20,000

The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Condition requests can be obtained via email (lot inquiry button) or by telephone to the appropriate gallery location (Boston/617.350.5400 or Marlborough/508.970.3000). Any condition statement given, as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Skinner Inc. shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.
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