Take a Trip Back to the
Gilded Age

The Liberty Connection

Just above the fall board on the cabinet proper, are a series of Mid-Eastern Arabic faces with their locks descending down either side of the face. Dark veneer was chosen for the faces of these young men. Two additional matching faces are found on either side of the music rack on the horizontal sections of the music desk.

It is well documented that as a young man, Frederick Bartholdi, creator of the Statue of Liberty, traveled to the Middle East where he saw the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx. It was there the young artist became inspired to construct works of art on a grand scale as demonstrated in his works the Lion at Belfort and the Statue of Liberty. The number of Mid-Eastern designs in marquetry on the piano, along with features of the Statue of Liberty found on the piano, speak of Bartholdi's life and the influences that led to the creation of the Statue of Liberty.

Click to view larger image

Great Skill, Fine Craftmanship

• Ivy vines with rectangular brass inlay adorn the lower section of the piano
  cabinet. The vines are a delicate inlay of wood; the circular seeds are
  about one eighth of an inch in diameter. This fine workmanship took many man
  hours and great skill to create.
• The cabinet is inlayed with brass and gold leafed German Silver. Located
  above the keyboard, the initials WC and surrounding work are silver.
• The Liberty Piano was originally owned by William Clark of Clark Thread
  Mills. Learn about William Clark and his thread mills on this site.

Click to view larger image

Cabinet work accomplished by George A. Schastey

• The ivy and marquetry work continues on both sides of the lyre, front
  and back.
• The light color background is Satinwood with Purpleheart carvings and
  inlay work.
• The Cabinet work was accomplished by George A Schastey of New York City,
  cabinetmaker and one of America’s first decorators.
• Built in 1882, this Steinway Model B is believed to be in original
  condition (the cabinet finish will be examined by an expert within the year).

Click to view larger image

Goddess of Abundance

• Compare this painting with the carved figure to the right.
• Artist Angie Snyder Lande was commissioned to create this water color to bring
  to life the detailed carvings of the figure. While holding a garland of
  flowers, the figure's face is framed by two cornucopias with outpourings of
  pomegranates. The pomegranate with its many seeds represents abundance.
• Each carving is an individual representation of a cultivated flower.
  Garlands of flowers continue around the entire cabinet. Above the keyboard,
  the Garlands of flowers continue in the form of inlay work.

Click to view larger image