George III was King of England and Thomas Jefferson was President of the United States when this fine piece of furniture was made in London. It was a square piano, but now it is without keyboard, strings, and soundboard. It is very attractive and solid, and is useful as a console table or a dressing table. Painted inside the front compartment is: "John Broadwood & Son, Makers to His Majesty and the Princesses, Great Pulteney Street, Golden Square, London, 1808." John Broadwood (1732-1812) began his professional life as a cabinetmaker. In 1761 he went to London and worked with the well-established Swiss-born harpsichord maker Burkat Shudi. After marrying Shudi's daughter in 1769, he became a partner in the firm, and eventually manager nine years after his father-in-law's death in 1773. In 1817, the same workshop that crafted this piece of furniture made a grand piano as a gift from the Broadwood family to Ludwig van Beethoven. It quickly became Beethoven's favorite instrument. John Broadwood & Son Square Piano Made in London, Signed and Dated in 1808 - Converted Into Console Table or Dressing Table. Made with walnut and satinwood. Brass casters. See
