Description
The “Cocked Hat” grand is a piano that is a cross between the square grand piano and the grand piano. This model was short-lived and these pianos are very rare today.
Today’s traditional Grand Piano was patterned after the Harpsichord and the Square Grand Piano was patterned after the Clavichord. The “Cocked Hat” Grand Piano is basically a Piano that was patterned after the shape and overall design of the Spinet. Mechanically they are designed and built the same as the 19th Century Square Grand Piano, but their shape and stringing pattern is very different. Rather than being strung from front to back (as in a Grand Piano) or from side to side (as in a Square Grand Piano), Cocked Hat Pianos have the strings fanned out in an unusual angle that could almost be described as diagonal.
Chickering & Sons was the first piano manufacturer in America, build pianos in Boston as early as 1823. This Chickering “Cocked Hat” square grand piano is one of the finest examples of the American “Cocked Hat” grand pianos we’ve seen. It is made of beautifully carved Brazilian Rosewood and is of the Empire Revival Victorian style. Note the beautiful ivory keyboard which is in perfect condition. This piano is an important part of America’s musical evolution and will be restored to like new condition inside and out.