Warth German Square at Mallam's 

New Images and Analysis

Thanks to research by Christopher Clarke, we are as sure as we can be that it is by JJ or PJ Warth of Untertürkheim, Wurttemburg,  c. 1785.  The action is illustrated in Rosamond Harding's 1933 book, diagram seen below.  Six square pianos by these makers are listed in Clinkscale, all of them in Germany.

Comparison of the two images below support this conclusion; the conveniently detached action part resting on the keys corresponds exactly to Rosamond Harding's sketch.

The The keys appear to be ebony; the auctioneer has indicated that the sharps are topped with ivory.  Exemption under the UK Ivory Act 2018 has been obtained.

Comparing this image with the diagram above, we can see holes where some of the dampers are missing.

I have now received more images of the interior - seen below.

The continuous red strip looks like a divided silk fringe for bass and treble 'Harp Stops'.

The white squares between the wrestpins are note-letters: Note the use of H for B, in the German style.

Estimate £100 - £300, sold for £1,800 hammer price - £2,340 with buyer's premium.

Images by, and by courtesy of, Mallam's Auctioneers   https://www.mallams.co.uk/