Square Piano, Attributed to Johann Matthäus Schmahl, ca. 1790

Square Piano, Attributed to Johann Matthäus Schmahl, ca. 1790

Artokoloro / Alamy Stock Photo

Image ID: KC33N2

Square Piano, ca. 1790, Germany, possibly German, Wood, various, Overall: 82.5 x 111 x 42.3cm (32 1/2 x 43 11/16 x 16 5/8in.), Chordophone-Zither-struck-piano, Attributed to Johann Matthäus Schmahl (German, Ulm 1734–1793), The shape of the case of this piano is made to resemble a harp lying on its side. Mozart supposedly carried a piano like this for practicing on his travels. Schmahl referred to this type of instrument as a liegende harfe, or harp piano