Grand Piano 1815 - 1820

This grand piano was crafted by Joseph Böhm, a Viennese instrument maker. Note how the piano's legs are adorned with gilded eagles, symbols of power and nobility since antiquity. In ancient Rome, the eagle was associated with Jupiter, king of the gods, and later adopted by emperors as a symbol of their rule. The eagle motif appears throughout history, from the Roman Empire to Napoleonic France, and is also seen in heraldry. The recurrence of the eagle motif speaks to a deep-seated human desire for authority and triumph. Just as the bird soars above the Earth, its presence in art and culture elevates the status and significance of the object it adorns. Consider how the eagle's symbolism engages our collective memory, evoking a sense of reverence. This connection between music, art, and symbolism creates a powerful, subconscious link between past and present.