Manxman Piano
Medium
Oak, ebony, ivory, mother-of-pearl, and copper
Dimensions
128.9 × 143.2 cm (50 3/4 × 56 3/8 in.); With top open: H.: 162.6 cm (64 in.); With one door open: W.: 212.4 cm (83 5/8 in.)
Classification
musical instrument
Department
Applied Arts of Europe
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
103943
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
A product of the Arts and Crafts movement in England, the Manxman Piano represents an innovative solution to the somewhat awkward form of the upright piano. Motivated by the shoddy results of industrial mass production, the movement advocated the recognition of furniture and decorative arts as works of art. Here the celebrated English architect and designer Mackay Hugh Baillie Scott created an object that is both cleverly functional and aesthetically pleasing. When opened, the lid and doors of t...