Manxman Piano

1897

Part of the English Arts and Crafts movement, architect and designer Mackay Hugh Baillie Scott created this pianoforte, an innovative solution to the awkward form of the upright piano. Scott's object is both cleverly functional and aesthetically pleasing. The opened lid and doors of the cabinet act as acoustical sounding boards. Inside is the musical instrument along with a profusion of handcrafted metalwork, including candleholders.

Public domain · CC0
Free to download and reuse. Image courtesy of Art Institute of Chicago.

Artist

Designed by Mackay Hugh Baillie Scott English, 1865-1945 Made by John Broadwood and Sons England, founded 1728 London, England

Date

1897

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.)

Origin

England

Collection

Art Institute of Chicago

Credit

Purchased with funds provided by Robert Allerton, Mrs. Joseph Regenstein, Sr., Walter S. Brewster, Mrs. Emily Crane Chadbourne, Richard T. Crane, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Leopold Blumka, Henry Manaster, Jack Linsky, Mrs. Margaret Day Blake, Mr. and Mrs. John Wilson, Mrs. Henry C. Wood, by exchange; Florene May Schoenborn and Samuel A. Marx Fund; European Decorative Arts Purchase Fund