Mathaeus Heilmann Fortepiano

Type: Grand Piano

Collection: Kolthoorn Collection

Manufacturer: Heilmann, Mathaeus

Year: c.1785

Geography: Mainz / Germany

Dimensions (cm): L=214 W=97 H=27

Current location: On display at Huize Kolthoorn

General description: Viennese action without hammer check, single bridge. Keyboard with ebony naturals with bone-topped beech sharps. A fielded paneled walnut case on four square tapered legs. Sycamore nameboard with a paper name label flanked by two decorative brass disks. Two knee levers below the keyboard.

Instrument Video

Heilmann piano see video 29 seconds

Additional information

Performance characteristics: See video at 29 seconds

Compass: Ff-f3

Pedals: Knee lever: sustain

Octaves: 5

Inscriptions

On the nameboard: Mathaeus Heilmann Hof-Orgel / und Instrumenten Macher in Mainz No 194

Edition/serial number: 194

Context: Heilmann worked in Mainz or the town of Offenbach nearby. He was appointed court tuner, organist and maker to the Elector and Archbishop of Mainz

Literature references: Clinkscale, Martha Novak. Makers of the Piano: 1700-1820. Vol. 1, Oxford University Press, 2006.

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