A Dutch mahogany and kingwood square pianoforte, By Joannes Baptist Duwaer (1791-1865), Amsterdam, ca. 1840-44, An English Double Action square pianoforte, with 6 octaves (FF - f4). The hinged moulded adjustable top above an incurved keyboard with pierced foliage and manufacturer s label Joannes Baptist Duwaer/Maakt alle Soorten van Piano Fortes/Amsterdam , on baluster legs with caps and castors. Together with a later adjustable chair and a mahogany casket with tools. Duwaer was an Amsterdam piano maker, active in the first half of the 19th century. Of all his instruments eight pianos are known nowadays, and four of them are restored and playable. The production was small scale, the staff was about 6 to 8 people, and they made around 50 to 60 square pianos per year. The square pianos by Duwaer were constructed in a rather old fashioned manner, but because of that built to last long and of exceptionally high quality, even better than his famous British counterpart Broadwood. Duwaer square pianos have a very characteristic sound: clear, bright and warm. They do very well in chamber music, as performed in the heydays of the Romantic Era of the middle of the 19th century. When well restored, these Duwaers are beautiful instruments of high quality. Dr. Olaf S. van Hees, 88x174x72 cm,