Here is an amazing, mid century wonder: A Danish Modern piano, originally owned by one of the architects who design Eichler houses. This piano is actually for sale — its owners Tina and David subscribe to my weekly newsletter and send me the for-sale link the other day. They say that, “A limited number of these pianos were made in the 1950s by Louis Zwicki in Denmark.” A Danish Modern piano — who would have thunk it? Gorgeous….
If you are interested in buying this antique Zwicik piano [link now gone]. May I also keep your listing info and photos for posterity, Tina and David? Good luck!
PRICE JUST REDUCED. Whether you’re a pianist, a collector of mid-century furnishings, or both, this Minor Model pianette is a rare find. Beautiful mid-century design features a teak case with wicker grille on the back, plus matching wicker top bench.
It has been wrapped and stored since we purchased it from Modern i in San Anselmo 8 to 9 years ago. It probably needs a tuning, but otherwise is in perfect, ready-to-play condition (there is the most minor scuffing on the front left corner below the keys, barely noticeable). A limited number of these pianos were made in the 1950s by Louis Zwicki in Denmark.
It’s original owner was a well-known, Bay Area architect, Frederick E. Emmons of the architectural firm Jones + Emmons, who designed homes for Joseph Eichler.
It was sold to him by the Penny Owsley Music store in LA (her name is also on the piano), one of a handful of detailers in So. CA with exclusive rights to sell Zwicki pianos.
Comes with matching single seat bench (not pictured).
Tina also provided this link to a vintage piano site in Denmark: which features even more Danish Modern pianos. : )
Gorgeous! And I think — the first piano I have ever featured on the blog. Readers, do you have pianos in your homes?
robyn says
We used to have a piano. Our’s was a spinet in a maple color and had a rick-racky music rack. It sparkled on our hard wood floors and paneled wall in the living room. My children flew the coop, so we passed the piano down to our little nieces with the admonishment that they take lessons as much as possible.
My mother still has her beginner piano, a wurlitzer, that has a leather and wood finish. Her’s is probably from the early 40’s. She loves it and is very sentimental about.
Melanie says
Wow, that’s gorgeous. If I had it in my home, I wouldn’t care how it sounds!
The piano I have is an old upright that weighs a ton, has been painted and wallpapered!! (not by me!) and hauled up from home to home in this town as it is pawned off on different households. As soon as I can get a guy with a bobcat lined up, it wil be moving to my daughter’s house.
Jeanne says
That piano is gorgeous. This is a sad subject for me, though. I always had the spinnet piano that my mother got when she was 10 years old (so it was from the 30s). I’ve moved it from home to home. Our last move was to a much smaller home and considering it hadn’t been played in years – and after trying to sell it – I gave it away to a coworker. At least I know it’s in a good home. That was a difficult one for me, though.
hillary says
I think that piano will appeal more to mid-century people than pianists. It’s priced quite high for a spinet piano of that age; the value is in the provenance and style. I hope they find a buyer in the furniture crowd (or a mid-century enthusiast who also needs a beginner instrument) because it’s lovely!
Rebecca Prichard says
SO BEAUTIFUL.
Don says
It is a shame this beautiful piano is worthless as a musical instrument. To be “…wrapped and stored…8 to 9 years” is the quick way to destroy a piano. An instrument such as this needs to be played regularly at best and tuned at least …once a year at worst. Over time, the tuning pins “set” in the wood, making it virtually impossible to bring up to tune after this many years. So for the most part, it is junk as a musical instrument, but it sure is good looking. To bad they did the worst thing one could do to a piano!!
Wendy M says
Beautiful piano! I love seeing uncommon styles like this one.
To answer your question, I will have a piano within the month…a black Wurlitzer spinet that has been passed around our family for the past 35 years.
(I feel compelled to comment on this topic- if you have a piano, please put it up against an inside wall! If it is on an outside wall, it can draw moisture into the wood. We watched the previous owners of our last house try to move their upright piano out and it fell to pieces going down the ramp. He had to cut it up with a circular saw and throw it away…it was heartbreaking to watch!)
TappanTrailerTami says
In addition to Tina and David’s beautiful piano, I came across the Story & Clark “Storytone” electric art deco piano one day. This HAS to be my all time wish-I-could-have-it piano!
Here are a couple of links – one is already sold, the other is currently for sale at the bargain price of $39,000! In comparison, this makes Tina and David’s Zwicki a great deal 🙂
http://www.piedmontpiano.com/Webpages/Galleries/Usedgeneral/1939Storytone.html
The one for sale:
http://www.goodoldtimes.com/PIANOS/RCAartDECOfirstelectricPIANO.htm
TappanTrailerTami says
I currently have a very heavy big upright piano in my living room, which I am going to release to a new home.
Being torn over not having a piano, I thought maybe a smaller spinet size would be workable so I was looking through an online piano listing about two weeks ago and saw and read all about Tina and David’s piano – actually I don’t think I live very far from them (greater Bay Area) . It is really unusual to see such a streamlined, simple, and elegant case.
I hope they are able to sell it soon, it really is exceptional. In fact, Tina and David – if you are reading this, you may want to contact Nil Erdal, who is a real estate agent who specializes in Eichler properties. She is located in Saratoga, CA – lots of Eichler homes in Santa Clara County. She may have a former or current client who would love to have your piano to go into their Eichler home. Her contact info/website is here:
http://www.nilerdal.com/content/article.html?id=67688&gclid=CPH0ptDw2qcCFQI3gwodpU-p-w
Tami
Joe says
1- I have NO idea how to play a piano but man do I want that.
2-$4500 doesn’t seem like a lot of money for a pretty rare piece to have in your house. I’m pretty up on furniture prices and I know you can drop that on a Herman Miller Plycraft that everyone and their brother has. This would be something unique.
Linda Sobottka says
I have this piano and did not know until today when I wanted to give it away. It needs some work on the wood and I’m sure it needs tuning. I’m trying to find out if it is worth anything. Do you know who I can contact to find out