Gunther c. 1815 - New Home Found

The name Henry Gunther is well known to us, but this is the only recorded piano  bearing his name alone - he is better known as the partner of Horwood in the 1820s.  This piano benefits from two useful music drawers.  Sometimes there was a central drawer as well, but in my experience this makes it impossibleto get my knees underneath and hence makes playing difficult.  Perhaps people were a different shape in those days?

This piano does bear a strong family resemblance to a Clementi, and as we think that Gunther (like Horwood) was a dealer rather than a primary maker, it does seem possible that this one came from the Tottenham Court Road factory.

Good to see that the green-painted shade is still present - these are so often lost, but do have an important acoustic function.  Sadly, though, the pedal is missing.  

Note Clementi-style cloth-covered bar to ensure even down-bearing of the strings on the bridge.  

NEW HOME FOUND

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