Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1876-06-03
Jarors for June Term of the Law Court.
CINCINNATI Centennial Pinno.


One of the most noteworthy, and GER
tainly the must beautiful, instruments
contributed TO the Centennial Exhibition
is the square grand piano manufactured
by the the Ohio Valley Company, that is
displayed in the WOman's Pavilion. it,
appropriate place, inasmueh as its unique
decoration is the work of a lady. The
case of this piano was designed and carv-
ed by Miss Agnes Pitman, daughter Of
Mr.. Benn Pitman, the Principal of the
Practical Ar: Department of the Cincin-
natl School Of Design. 1t has often been
said that a square piano presents a more
difficult subject for successful decoration
that any other instrument or article OF
furniture; but the success OF this attempt
has been a satisfactory surprise to all
who have seen it The top presents a
broad band of ornament running COM
pletely round, broken only by two oval
medailions in the center of the front and
back. These spaces are ayailed of to
present two charming bits Of decoration,
representing spring and winter; spring
being represented by the chorus, the dog
tooth vioIet-one of the earliest of our.
wild howers-and- some other early
blooming plant; while winter is symbol
lied by the holly, chrysanthemum, leaf
less thOrns, and the dropping leaves Of
the shrivelled corn.
The band of ornaments that completes
the circuit on the top of the instrument
begins with january and ends with De-
eembers representing appropriate LEAKAGE
and floral decoration of the entire year.
January and the early months are rep
resented by winter ferns, holly, and the
periwinkle; spring, by the snow-drop,
the delicate rOckbrake, with its fern
like leaves, followed by the beautiful
leaves and tendrils of the balloon vine;
summer is synbolized by the ipomeas-I
one of the morning glOries, with its trip
le-lObed leaf, flowers and buds, and by
buttercups and daisies with their ever
new and pleasant associations. Autumn
brings the Virginia creepers and the
Harvest time is repre-
scented by graceful cluster of oats, and
equally beautiful-at least for ornament
al purposes-are dropping seed stalks of
the common nettle. Winter brings us
the mistletoe and holly, with its leaf AMI
berry, and completes the circle of the
year. These designs are repeated with
trifiing variations Cbut not so pronounced |
as to mar the symmetry of the design on
each half of the top, starting from the I
centre medallion.
The inside of the lid presents speci- /
men of panel ornamentation, a central 1
with bold, radiating curves /
0verlaying a richly diapered back
ground, the effect of which is is original
rs it is beautiful.
The decoration on the edge of the lid,
and on the upper and lower parts of the
Ease are unique specimens of convention
II ornament, Interesting from the fact
hat they are new and strikingly appro-
pirate to the position they occupy.
The legs are carved in deep relief.
The central portion of the decoration is
passion flower, with its buds and leaves,
md the naturalness and vigor with
which they are cut is delight and sur
prise to all lovers of fine and appropriate
decoration. Spreading fern leaves reach
long the legs, where they lengthen their
support, and ivy leaves drop from the
over portion. The Tyre, for the work
ng Of the pedals, is, as far as our knOwl-
'dge goes, the first ever carved where
he proper shape of that instrument is
preserved. The rich cluster of naturally
ormed bay leaves in which it rests, while
giving massiveness to the finish, does not,
II any way, detract from the convention
j form of that classic type which has
zen handed down to us from the time of
he Greeks.
But all this relates 10 the body of the
'ianO; the soul of the instrument, the
quality that the touch of the master awa-
,ens is after all, the test of its complete
less and worth. In this respect impair
ial critics have pronounced it faultless
n touch and tone. 1t is an instrument
made for use and wear. Its tone is ring
ng, sweet and even, yet powerful, and
he strength and perfection of its con-
truction insures a continuance of these
me qualities.