Although the Arts & Crafts design was very popular during the early 20th century, piano makers were slow to adapt to the Mission/Arts & Crafts design. The first decade of the 20 thВ century saw a calmer, less radical movement in interior design than the previous decades, and this change was immediately seen in the evolving styles offer by the major piano manufacturers.ДЇrom about 1900-1916, the Arts & Crafts Movement was a major force in American design. The ostentatious styles of the late 19 thВ century gave way for more classic and simple design. The last decade of the 19 thВ century saw some of the finest craftsmanship and quality ever to be put into piano manufacturing.ДЄfter the turn-of-the-century, tastes began to change and piano design began to become a bit more streamlined. Since this was the height of the Victorian era, manufacturers were building their upright pianos with exotic woods and lavish carvings, often producing incredibly ornate and lavish models to suit the dГ©cor of the era. In the 1880s and 1890s, upright piano production increased substantially and by the last decade of the 19 thВ century, the square grand piano that had dominated the market for the past century had all but vanished. It is exceedingly rare that we see an upright piano dating prior to 1870 come through our restoration shop, indicating that the extant models of mid-19 thВ century upright pianos are very scarce today.ДЄs the 20 thВ century approached, makers began shifting their production from the square grand piano to the upright piano, as the publicвЂ™s tastes were beginning to change and homes were becoming smaller and less suited for large square grand pianos.

Most of our vintage ephemera collection doesnвЂ™t show upright pianos until the 1870s, although upright pianos were built on a limited scale all through the early and middle 19 thВ century.

Prior to that time, the square grand piano was the preferred choice that dominated the American piano market. The upright piano didnвЂ™t become popular in American culture until the last quarter of the 19 thВ century.

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