Traugott Berndt, Breslau ca.1847
Grand fortepiano made by Johann Karl Traugott Berndt in Breslau. This
instrument was build c1847 and is in good unrestored original condition.
The case is made in mahogany and has the harpsichord shape. The keyboard
coverings are made from ivory, viennese action with leather covered
hammers, straight strung with mostly original strings, treble strung,
two metal braces, original tuning pins. The wrestplank and bridge
are in excellent condition (no cracks), the soundboard has two small
cracks. The instrument is labeled over the keyboard on a small paper
in a brass frame with:
"Traugott Berndt
in Breslau. Hof-Instrumentenmacher Sr. Majestät des Königs
und Ihrer Königl.Hoheit der Prinzeß Albrecht von Preußen.".
The castors at the
legs and 5 hammers are missing. The instrument has 2 pedals controlling
dampers and due corde and is handwritten signed on several places
with "Mahagoni 119 Schilling"
(probably the serial number (?)).
This is a very rare and fine example of an viennese grand fortepiano
and probably one of the first grand pianos made by Traugott Berndt.
Other assimilable instruments are in the collection of the Händelhaus
in Halle, the Museum of Instruments in Leipzig and in the Deutsche
Museum in Munich.
The lyra was not assembled for taking the photos.
Dimensions: length: 226 cm, width: 134 cm
Compass: 6 octaves plus sixth, CC - a4, viennese action, 2 Pedals.