Lot 647
  • 647

Joseph-Émmanuel Zwiener, fl. circa 1875-1900 A rare and important grand piano Paris, 1903-4

Estimate
200,000 - 300,000 USD
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Description

  • Joseph-Émmanuel Zwiener
  • wood, gilt bronze, lacquer, ivory, metal
  • height 3 ft. 5 in.; width 5 ft. 2 in.; length 7 ft. 6 in.
  • 104 cm; 157.5 cm; 228.5 cm
the movement by Erard, veneered in amaranth, sycamore, and fruitwood marquetry and opening to reveal a birds eye maple-veneered interior, inscribed Par Brevet d'Invention Seb. & Pre Erard 13 & 21 rue du Mail Paris, stenciled number 84325 for the serial number, the keyboard lid signed in brass inlaid cursive letters Erard/Paris, all gilt bronze mounts with mercurial gilding and two toned burnishing, one lion head-cast chute has been removed to reveal the mark ZN from the bronze master model.

Provenance

Sotheby's New York, April 20, 2007, lot 124.

Condition

Overall general very good condition and presentation. some uniform fading to the case where the cover over the keys has been left open, but pleasing overall. A few old scuffs, marks and scratches consistent with age and use. Bronze generally very good color and condition, with pleasing two tone burnishing. A light clean to the bronze could restore the full beauty of the bronze presentation. The case does close tight and flush. There is a veneer patch with minor infill at the top of one leg, and two 5 inch narrow cracks to the side of the leg, along the seam of construction. Bronze lower border will need to be tightened back. The top will need to be taken back and refinished as there are some scratches in the center. There is one three inch piece of veneer missing at the end of the case. There are one or two other areas of minor touch-up to the veneer. Two of the central keys have small chip to the edge. The movement is complete, original, and operation but would need to be professionally tuned.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Catalogue Note

The present magnificent grand piano is clearly based on King Louis XV’s unique roll top desk, known as the Bureau du Roi, one of the most famous and highly copied works of 18th century French furniture. The construction of this masterpiece began in 1760 by Jean-François Oeben, and was finally delivered to the king in May 1769, after its completion by Oeben’s successor, Jean-Henri Riesener. This desk, which took numerous craftsman “nine years of painstaking work to bring to perfection”, dominated all of Riesener’s work.
The first 19th century copy of the celebrated Bureau du Roi was made in Paris by either Drexler or Drescher for the 4th Marquess of Hertford between 1853 and 1870, now part of the Wallace Collection in London. Another important copy was made by Henri Dasson in 1875 and exhibited at the Exposition Universelle of 1878. Alfred Beurdeley, François Linke and Jean Henri Jansen are among the many that made copies of the desk in the 19th century.
Joseph-Émmauel Zwiener was equally fascinated with the Bureau du Roi and exhibited his copy at the Exposition Universelle of 1889. He used it to inspire the unique design and construction of this piano, incorporating the signature marquetry and elaborate gilt-bronze lion's pelt mounts.