Items Similar to Claude Montal Exposition Universelle Piano
Video Loading
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 15
Claude Montal Exposition Universelle Piano
About the Item
Crafted by renowned French artisan and author Claude Montal, this piano was presented at the famed Crystal Palace exhibition in London in 1851, where it was highly awarded for its exquisite craftsmanship. Three years later, at the 1855 Exposition Universelle in Paris, Montal’s piano won the coveted gold medal. Showcasing rich marquetry of prized woods including rosewood, kingwood and Algerian cedar, the piano’s decadent details, including an eagle, foliate motifs and cartouches, are further heightened by doré bronze mounts and masks.
Born in La Palisse, France in 1800, Claude Montal succumbed to a childhood illness that left him blind by the age of 4. Encouraged by his parents, Montal attended the Institute for Blind Youth of Paris, where he was a skilled student. He learned to play various instruments and found his calling as a piano tuner, later writing several books on the subject. In 1834, Montal began designing small pianos, quickly receiving great acclaim for his artistry and technical finesse. His award-winning pianos led him to be bestowed one of France’s highest honors, the Legion of Honor, in 1851.
Circa 1850
Inscribed “MONTAL / Fournisseurs de LL. MM. L’Empereur et L’Imperatrice des Francais, / et de la Maison Imperiale du Brésil / PARIS”
Bears Exposition Universelle medal
49 1/2“ high x 60 1/2” wide x 31 3/8“ deep
- Dimensions:Height: 49.5 in (125.73 cm)Width: 60.5 in (153.67 cm)Depth: 31.38 in (79.71 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Circa 1850
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New Orleans, LA
- Reference Number:
About the Seller
5.0
Recognized Seller
These prestigious sellers are industry leaders and represent the highest echelon for item quality and design.
Established in 1912
1stDibs seller since 2010
93 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 6 hours
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: New Orleans, LA
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
More From This SellerView All
- French Musical Automaton Picture ClockLocated in New Orleans, LAOne of the most amazing timepieces we have ever acquired that offers far more than meets the eye, this incredible work of art blends the beauty of a painting with the mechanical complexities of both a cylinder music box and an automaton. While it is clear to see the integrated clock residing within the arched giltwood and gesso frame, when activated, this painting quite literally comes alive. As the cylinder mechanism within plays its lovely tune, every character in the farrier's shop becomes animated – from the group of farrier's toiling away at the forge and anvil forming the horseshoes, to the wagging of the charming terrier's tale. This musical automaton picture clock is attributed to Xavier Tharin of Paris who was the preeminent creator of this fantastical "moving pictures", especially this particular farrier scene. His process mixed oil painting and hand-colored lithograph images that were layered starting from the back, middle and foreground to craft the complex series of movements throughout the painting. A look inside this particular work reveals the complex mechanism (with the three gongs, pendulum and cylinder components immediately visible) which must run the timepiece, the cylinder musical component plus the multitude of moving elements in the painting...a truly incredible feat considering the technical prowess to create just one of these devices. Musical picture clocks...Category
Antique 19th Century French Other Wall Clocks
MaterialsPaint
- 19th Century Watch Winding Display CabinetLocated in New Orleans, LAThis incredible, one-of-a-kind watch display cabinet brings together the beauty of an antique with the functionality of modern technology. Crafted of mahogany, this 19th century jewelry display cabinet...Category
Antique 19th Century Unknown Empire Cabinets
MaterialsMahogany
- Regiment Des Dromedaires Camel SaddleLocated in New Orleans, LAThis fascinating piece of military history is a camel saddle created for and used by the Dromedary Regiment (Regiment des Dromedaires) during Napoleon’s Egyptian campaigns between 1798-1801. The term “dromedary” refers to the dromedary camel...Category
Antique Late 18th Century French Empire Historical Memorabilia
MaterialsSilver, Brass, Iron
- French Musical Automation Picture ClockLocated in New Orleans, LAThis incredible work of art blends the beauty of a painting with the mechanical complexities of both a cylinder music box and an automaton. A clock is integrated within the arched giltwood and gesso frame, and, when activated, this painting quite literally comes alive. As the cylinder mechanism within plays its lovely tune, every character in the farrier's shop becomes animated – from the group of farrier's toiling away at the forge and anvil forming the horseshoes, to the wagging of the charming terrier's tale. This musical automaton picture clock is attributed to Xavier Tharin of Paris who was the preeminent creator of these fantastical "moving pictures", especially this particular scene. His process mixed oil painting and hand-colored lithograph images that were layered starting from the back and into the middle and foreground to craft the complex series of movements throughout the painting. A look inside this particular work reveals the complex mechanism (with the three gongs, pendulum and cylinder components immediately visible) which run the timepiece, the cylinder musical component, plus the multitude of moving elements in the painting -- a truly incredible feat considering the technical prowess to create just one of these devices. Musical picture clocks...Category
Antique Late 19th Century French Other Wall Clocks
MaterialsWood, Giltwood, Paint
- Portable Copying Machine by James Watt & Co.By James WattLocated in New Orleans, LAConsidered the first step into the world of modern photocopying, the copying machine was among the first widely used devices to successfully produce an ex...Category
Antique 18th Century English Other Historical Memorabilia
MaterialsMahogany
- Regina Upright Music BoxBy Regina CompanyLocated in New Orleans, LAAn extraordinary and rare coin-operated Regina Sublima upright music box crafted by the Regina music box company, one of the most recognized music bo...Category
Antique 19th Century American Other Musical Instruments
MaterialsOak
You May Also Like
- Paris 1937 -- Exposition InternationaleBy Eugene Beaudoin and Marcel LodsLocated in London, GBOriginal French poster for the Exposition International in Paris, 1937. This award-winning Art Deco design was created by Eugene Beaudoin (1898-1983) and Marcel Lods...Category
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Posters
- French Early 20th Century "Encyclopedie Universelle" Dated 1908Located in Stockbridge, GAFrench early 20th century "Encyclopedie Universelle" dated 1908.Category
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Books
MaterialsLeather
- Les Ottomanes Printemps Haussman Paris Istanbul Exposition 1990Located in North Hollywood, CALes Ottomanes Printemps Haussman Paris Istanbul Exposition 1990. By Teresa Battesti maitre de conference. French Text. Great references for costumes and textiles of the Ottoman em...Category
20th Century Turkish Expressionist Books
MaterialsPaper
- Collection of Books From1833 , From "L'Histoire Universelle, Ancienne et ModerneLocated in Marbella, ESColeccion de libros del 1833, de "L'Histoire Universelle, Ancienne et moderne; A L'usage de la Jeunesse; Par M. Le Compte de Segur, Histoire de France"Category
Antique Early 19th Century French Books
MaterialsLeather, Paper
- Glorious Victus museum original from the 1890 columbian expositionLocated in Van Nuys, CAFrom a private museum this very rare large example of the glorious victis on a rouge, marble museum, swivel base This particular bronze was the one that was shown in 1890 Colombian ...Category
Antique 1880s Historical Memorabilia
MaterialsBronze
- 1950's Style Zimmermann Baby Grand Piano Yellow Formica Tubular Steel Piano LyreLocated in Leeds, GBA 1950s style, Zimmermann baby grand piano with a contrasting black and yellow formica case. Piano features an asymmetrical music desk with geometric cut-ou...Category
Mid-20th Century German Musical Instruments
MaterialsSteel