Empress Maria Feodorovna (Dagmar) of Russia's and Queen Alexandra of England's Steinway & Sons Grand Piano, model B-211, lemonwood and satinwood case, curved front with opening flap including a keyhole, ebony and ivory keys, above a slide-in ledge centering a hinged music board and two swiveling brass sheet holders, flanked by two candlelight-shelves, on three pairs of tapering legs with brass shoes on wheels, the two pedal also of brass, decorated throughout in colors with leaf vines and rosettes as well as cartouches with flowers, masks and musical instruments. Metal frame marked with serial number 124678 and various patent numbers. Manufactured in Sheraton style 1906. H. 97,5 cm. / 182,5 cm. L. 211 cm. B. 148 cm.
Empress Maria Feodorovna (Dagmar) of Russia (1847–1928) and Queen Alexandra of England (1844–1925) were daughters of King Christian IX and Queen Louise of Denmark. When the king died as a widower in 1906, the two sisters decided that same year to acquire Hvidøre Manor near Klampenborg, north of Copenhagen, to have their own home in the land of their birth. It was newly furnished in a light and elegant style with furnishings from both Denmark and England.
Provenance: Empress Maria Feodorovna (Dagmar) of Russia's and Queen Alexandra of England's estate auction on Hvidøre Manor 10 April 1929, nr. 311, i the section named “Den Store Salon” (The Drawing Room): “One brightly polished grand piano with painted decoration. Steinway & Sons.” Thence in Danish private ownership.
CITES-certificate valid for transport and re-sale within the European Union included.
Sold without reserve.
Queen Alexandra (standing) and Empress Maria Feodorovna at the the grand piano in The Drawing Room at Hvidøre Manor. (Photo around 1910, Ian Shapero private collection).
To the right the grand piano in The Drawing Room at Hvidøre Manor. (Photo around 1910, Senta Driver private collection).
Condition report available on request.