Square pianoforte

A John Broadwood Square Rosewood Piano (serial number 34824) completed at the Horsferry Road Workshop on December 11th 1827 and sold January 9th 1828. The Piano stands on six legs and a seventh one with a foot pedal the leg does not reach the floor. In 1842, 2,500 pianos a year were being made in the great factory in Horseferry Road, Westminster. Broadwoods were one of the twelve largest employers of labour in London, in an industry that was still craft-based with all parts made in-house. In 1866 the last square piano was made by Broadwood (serial number 64161) - it was overtaken by the "Cottage Upright".