Antique Piano Shop

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Status: Pending Restoration

Instrument Description

During the late 1700's, during the evolution of the piano from the harpsichord, European manufactures built huge Pompadour pianos, often referred to as "Giraffe Pianos", sometimes 10 to 12 feet high! (This piano is only 8 feet tall). The theory behind the Giraffe piano was taking a grand piano and putting it up in a vertical position...similar to upright pianos, but many decades before the upright piano came to be. French makers like Erard and Pleyel built several versions of these pianos, and they are all but extinct today.

Just before the turn of the 20th Century, Conover attempted to revive the Pompadour and Giraffe piano based mainly on the French styles of the 18th Century. Conover built a handful of prototypes which they called "Symphonic" models; only 4 of which we are aware still exist. THESE PIANOS ARE EXCEPTIONALLY RARE! These Conover "Symphonic" pianos were built much like the 18th Century instruments, though they have standard action parts making them easier to work on. Any piano tuner can tune it. This is basically a grand piano in vertical form. It sits on 4 legs and has a pedal lyre like a grand piano. This piano has exquisite Empire Revival style carvings, and can be best described as a stunning, jaw-dropping piece when seen in person. An original matching bench is included.

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Miscellaneous Ephemera

Conover Piano Advertisements
Turn-Of-The-Century Advertisements From The Conover Piano Company

Conover/Cable Piano Advertisement
Early 20th Century Conover-Cable Piano Advertisement, Circa About 1910

Related Instruments

Conover Pompadour Model Upright Piano
1907 | $18,000

Conover Victorian Upright Piano
1896 | $12,000

Conover Giraffe Style Symphonic Upright Piano
1899 | $35,000 After Total Restoration