upright piano candelabra

[klmphd]

I am looking for candelabra for my Pohlmann & Sons upright piano. I have had it for years and years and am thinking of restoring it. I do not know the year it was built but am guessing late 19th century. Is there a source for these "antique" parts? Perhaps i could find candelabras for other pianos and find a way to install them on my piano.

[Gill the Piano]

Most piano parts suppliers (Heckscher and Fletcher & Newman in this country) sell reproduction sconces (the technical name for the candlesticks) made from casts of old sconces, but you could probably source some real ones on eBay or at antiques shops. If you supply us with the serial number of the piano we could possibly give you its date of manufacture, and therefore tell you roughly what sort of sconces would be in keeping with the piano.

[klmphd]

Most piano parts suppliers (Heckscher and Fletcher & Newman in this country) sell reproduction sconces (the technical name for the candlesticks) made from casts of old sconces, but you could probably source some real ones on eBay or at antiques shops. If you supply us with the serial number of the piano we could possibly give you its date of manufacture, and therefore tell you roughly what sort of sconces would be in keeping with the piano.

Thank you very much for your reply. I found the serial number: 7728.3830. I will look into reproductions from suppliers such as the ones you mentioned. I would be very interested in your ideas regarding the style that would be appropriate.

[klmphd]

Most piano parts suppliers (Heckscher and Fletcher & Newman in this country) sell reproduction sconces (the technical name for the candlesticks) made from casts of old sconces, but you could probably source some real ones on eBay or at antiques shops. If you supply us with the serial number of the piano we could possibly give you its date of manufacture, and therefore tell you roughly what sort of sconces would be in keeping with the piano.

Besides the serial number written with the "." between (i.e.7728.3830), the large name engraved on the metal inside states, "Psalmas Pohlmann's Patent."

[Barrie Heaton]

I am looking for candelabra for my Pohlmann & Sons upright piano. I have had it for years and years and am thinking of restoring it. I do not know the year it was built but am guessing late 19th century. Is there a source for these "antique" parts? Perhaps i could find candelabras for other pianos and find a way to install them on my piano.

You can buy piano candelabra on line here

http://www.uk-piano.org/piano-accessori ... _list&c=20

Barrie,

[Gill the Piano]

Can't help you with the date, then; Pierce's (the standard piano atlas) doesn't list Pohlmann numbers. You could try Bill on the History bit of this site - if it can be found out, he'll find it! What are the legs like which support the keyboard? Are they plain square columns, or slightly curved brackets or heavily carved? Is the front top panel inlaid with a pattern, and if so, is it flowers or an angular design? This will help us date it.

[klmphd]

Can't help you with the date, then; Pierce's (the standard piano atlas) doesn't list Pohlmann numbers. You could try Bill on the History bit of this site - if it can be found out, he'll find it! What are the legs like which support the keyboard? Are they plain square columns, or slightly curved brackets or heavily carved? Is the front top panel inlaid with a pattern, and if so, is it flowers or an angular design? This will help us date it.

Legs: a smooth scrolled bracket, each curve inlaid with 3 vertical lines of a lighter color wood, an outlined square on the foot and a kind of crossed, ribbon pattern on the vertical piece. The piano is a very dark brown overall.

Top front panel: In the center is an long rectangle portion framed with molding, and inside is an inlaid flower design with three petaled flowers and graceful leaves. On either side is a smaller framed rectangle, with the old brass brackets and the pins for the sconces still attached. They are not too ornate-- three small flowers on top of a curved diamond figure, connected on each side by two convex lines.

I hope to use my brackets and install the swing arm of whatever I buy.

--Thanks,
Karen

[Gill the Piano]

It's a lot easier to buy old sconces if you already have the brackets; they often get separated (as yours have been) so you'll find a pair without brackets fairly easily. However, it doesn't follow that the sconce pins will necessarily fit the brackets you've got, so be prepared to possibly have the pins turned down to fit the brackets. Are the pins still in the brackets? Some sconces have a loose pin to link the two pieces, others have a 'pin' sort of cast onto the end of the sconce. Very hard to say without photos! It sounds to me as though the piano you have is around 1910 - 20, so florid/ornate probably fits the spirit of what you have better than the more art deco angular style.Happy ebaying!

[klmphd]

It's a lot easier to buy old sconces if you already have the brackets; they often get separated (as yours have been) so you'll find a pair without brackets fairly easily. However, it doesn't follow that the sconce pins will necessarily fit the brackets you've got, so be prepared to possibly have the pins turned down to fit the brackets. Are the pins still in the brackets? Some sconces have a loose pin to link the two pieces, others have a 'pin' sort of cast onto the end of the sconce. Very hard to say without photos! It sounds to me as though the piano you have is around 1910 - 20, so florid/ornate probably fits the spirit of what you have better than the more art deco angular style.Happy ebaying!

I've found the perfect set of sconces, and you're right, I have to play with the pins to make them work. I have pins still in the brackets, pins cast onto the end of the sconce, and they're different sizes. But I have someone to help me out on this. I ordered the brackets that came with the sconces, so if all else fails, I will try to mount them and remove the others. I appreciate the responses I received from you, and they were a great help.

Many thanks to the other people who helped and responded, as well, referring me to vendors and such. So, I'll no longer be following this thread. Bye!

Karen