Custom Painted Oriental Style Marionette Mini-Grand Piano
Stunning Oriental Style Custom Painted Marionette Mini-Grand Piano Originally Custom Made For A Wealthy Child's Playroom!
$30,000
(not including applicable sales tax & shipping charges)
Year: 1929
Length: 3 feet, 8 inches
Finish: Custom Painted Oriental Black Lacquer
Status: RestoredShipping services »
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Instrument Description
In about 1928 the illustrious M. Schulz Piano Company introduced a limited number of tiny “Child Size” baby grand pianos under the “Marionette” label. Measuring only 46 inches wide and 44 inches long, these little pianos were real pianos with the tone quality of an ordinary baby grand piano, but their diminutive size made them ideal for wealthy children’s play rooms, dance clubs, boudoirs, etc. Because piano technology had reached its peak in the 1920’s, these tiny pianos were thoroughly modern in design and the science and craftsmanship behind them resulted in a piano that sounded like a much larger instrument.
The Marionette was built both as player pianos and standard pianos, and M. Schulz had great plans to build them in large numbers. They were advertised as being offered in elaborately carved cabinets and elaborate finishes, including hand painted Oriental style finishes.
When the Great Depression hit in 1929, M. Schulz was forced to drop their grandiose plans for the Marionette line and only a few were ever actually built.
This piano is an example of the rarest Oriental style custom painted finishes offered on the Marionette piano. It is adorned with exquisite hand-painted scenery including Oriental villagers,flowers, birds, etc. The detail of the art work is quite vivid and the detail is exceptional. The inside of the piano is made of beautiful blond birds-eye maple wood which give an elegant overall appearance to the instrument. The piano has been restored to like new condition inside and out, and the tone and touch is really quite good for a piano this size. The tone of this piano is comparable to a traditional baby grand, and those who hear it and play it are amazed!
A matching bench is included. Computerized player mechanisms can be installed if desired.
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Instrument Catalogs
M. Schulz Sales Catalog 1901
M. Schulz Illustrated Sales Catalog featuring their M. Schulz, Walworth and Irving brands, circa 1901
Miscellaneous Ephemera
M. Schulz "Aria Divina" Player Grand Advertisements
Early 20th Century Advertisements For "Aria Divina" Player Baby Grand Pianos By M. Schulz Piano Company
M. Schulz Advertisements
Period Advertisements From The M. Schulz Piano Company
Marionette Piano Advertisements
Advertisements for the tiny "Marionette" baby grand piano by M. Schulz & Co., circa 1928 - 1929
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