85/1497 Crucibles (6), ceramic, used at Sydney Observatory workshop, maker unknown
85/1498 Ladles (2), (metallurgists), iron, used at Sydney Observatory workshop, maker unknown, c 1950
85/1499 Pit saw, steel blade, wooden handle, used at Sydney Observatory workshop, maker unknown, 1950-1960
85/1500 Pitch-fork, (garden or hay), used at Sydney Observatory workshop, 1930-1950
Two rain gauge measuring cylinders.85/1913 Rain gauges (2), measuring cylinders, glass, made by Angelo Tornaghi, used at Sydney Observatory, New South Wales, Australia, 1861-1900
85/1914 Sieve, cylindrical, copper, used at Sydney Observatory workshop, [Australia]
85/1915 Funnel, conical, ceramic, size 6 (or 9), used at Sydney Observatory workshop, [1930-1950]
85/1916 Mortar & pestle, ceramic, used at Sydney Observatory workshop, made in [England]
85/1917 Cylinder, glass, graduated, used at Sydney Observatory
85/1918 Cylinder, glass, graduated, stoppered, used at Sydney Observatory, Australia, 20th century
85/1919 Measuring vessel, possibly rain gauge, glass with spout, used at Sydney Observatory
85/1920 Tubing (2 pieces), chemical glassware, used at Sydney Observatory
85/1921 Watch glasses (2), used at Sydney Observatory
85/1922 Test tube, fused silica, used at Sydney Observatory
85/1923 Tube, sealed glass, containing liquid, used at Sydney Observatory
85/1924 Glass discharge tube, used at Sydney Observatory
85/1925 Discharge tubes (3), glass, (containing powders), used at Sydney Observatory
85/1926 Vessels (5), glass, handblown, used at Sydney Observatory
85/1927 Filter flask, glass, used at Sydney Observatory, Crown, Australia
85/1928 Boiling flasks (2), glass, used at Sydney Observatory
85/1929 Funnel & filter chamber, porcelain/glass, used at Sydney Observatory, Buchner's, Japan/England
85/1930 Roentgen tubes (2), X-ray, used at Sydney Observatory, Newton & Co, London, England
Names
Keyboard Collection
IDs
1933
Offline Only
Descriptions
The Powerhouse Museum’s keyboard collection is one of the major strengths of the musical instruments collection. The instruments span a period of over 370 years from the Italian virginals made in 1629 through to the Stuart & Sons grand piano made in 1999 and the William Bright harpsichord of 2002.
The collection has developed significantly since the first keyboard, a square piano by Broadwood (H4011), was acquired by the Museum in 1937. Many important instruments in the collection have come through the generosity and knowledge of William Bradshaw (19 – 2009) whose eye for the rare and unusual instrument allowed the museum to builds up the collection as it stands today. This has also been supplemented by other significant donations from individuals including a comprehensive collection of player pianos and organs donated by Barclay Wright in 2006, once part of the Mastertouch Piano Roll Company Collection.
Although the collection predominantly follows and English making tradition there are instruments from France, Germany, Sweden, the USA, Japan and Australia. Keyboards represented include pianos, pipe organs, reed organs and harmoniums, plucked keyboards and electric and electronic keyboards and synthesizers.
Highlights of the collection include the oldest musical instrument in the collection - the Italian virginals of 1629 (85/372), a Zumpe & Buntebart square piano from 1773 (H9480) and an early bookcase upright grand piano by Stodart made in 1809 (2010/42/1). Electronic instruments that belonged to contemporary composers such as Don Banks and Tristram Cary are also included as are leading designers and makers of electronic instruments such as Tony Furse, Kim Ryrie and Peter Vogle and the Fairlight CMI.
Australian made keyboards are also a very important part of the collection and range from the earliest known piano to be made in Australia by John Benham of Sydney dating from about 1835 (H8405) through a variety of other 19th century makers to the great Australian piano manufacturers of Beale and Wertheim. Contemporary makers are also represented again including Ron Sharp, Fairlight, Stuart & Sons and William Bright.
By appointment only
Coverage Spatial
United Kingdom; Australia; Germany; France; Japan; United States of America; Sweden
Coverage Temporal
1629
Related Collections
Dates
2012-05-30 23:45
2012-05-30 12:25