{"product_id":"antique-rare-victorian-era-upright-piano-wm-kenna-smith-manchester-c-1890-1910","title":"Antique Rare Victorian Era Upright Piano | Wm. Kenna-Smith, Manchester | c.1890–1910","description":"\u003cp\u003eTo stand before this piano is to stand before more than an instrument — it is to encounter a century of music, memory, and masterful craft. Made by the celebrated Manchester firm of \u003cstrong\u003eWm. Kenna-Smith\u003c\/strong\u003e, established in 1874 and regarded as one of the finest names in the Victorian musical instrument trade, this late 19th-century upright piano is a rare survivor of an era when the piano was the centrepiece of every cultured home.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts provenance is exceptional. A secondary brass plaque confirms the instrument was also retailed through the distinguished Manchester house of \u003cstrong\u003eWilliam R. Swan\u003c\/strong\u003e (328 Oxford Road, opposite the Royal Infirmary) — a dual-provenance that is increasingly rare and will appeal deeply to serious collectors of British musical and social history. Kenna-Smith maintained prominent showrooms across Manchester, including Regent Road, Stretford Road, and Rochdale Road, and instruments bearing their name were synonymous with quality and refinement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDesign \u0026amp; Cabinetry\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe cabinet is finished in a highly figured premium mahogany veneer, its surface alive with deep, swirling grain patterns that speak to the finest Victorian-era woodworking traditions. The collapsible music desk is beautifully preserved, and the period-correct panelling anchors the piece with quiet authority. Over more than a century, the wood has developed a rich, aged patina — warm, complex, and utterly irreplaceable — that no modern reproduction could hope to emulate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe original ivory keys remain intact, accompanied by dual brass pedals and gold leaf marker accents that add a final note of period elegance. At 150cm wide and 130cm tall, this is a piano of commanding presence — large enough to fill a room, refined enough to define it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCollector's Note\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePianos of this vintage with dual-identifiable provenance are increasingly rare on the open market. Whether maintained as a functioning musical instrument for the advanced player or preserved as a decorative heritage asset, this piece offers enduring character, architectural presence, and a direct connection to one of Britain's most celebrated periods of domestic culture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eItem Specifics\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdetails open=\"\"\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003eView Details\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBrand:\u003c\/strong\u003e Wm. Kenna-Smith, Manchester\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSecondary Retailer:\u003c\/strong\u003e William R. Swan, 328 Oxford Road, Manchester\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Acoustic Upright Piano\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eModel:\u003c\/strong\u003e Late Victorian \/ Early Edwardian Upright\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eYear Manufactured:\u003c\/strong\u003e c. 1890–1910\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCountry of Origin:\u003c\/strong\u003e United Kingdom\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Premium Figured Mahogany Veneer\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Polished Mahogany Veneer\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eColour:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mahogany\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Keys:\u003c\/strong\u003e 85\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pedals:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2 (Dual Brass)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeatures:\u003c\/strong\u003e Original Ivory Keys, Gold Leaf Markers, Dual Brass Pedals, Collapsible Music Desk\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTouch Sensitivity:\u003c\/strong\u003e Traditional\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eExperience Level:\u003c\/strong\u003e Advanced\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 150cm (W) x 130cm (H)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e Large\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Medium \/ Heavy\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVintage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Pre-owned \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e","brand":"Wm. Kenna-Smith","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47608183062718,"sku":null,"price":4500.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0726\/6176\/2238\/files\/s-l1600_8_8bc67312-7cfe-4932-8f7a-bbe8ac99c94d.webp?v=1780748748","url":"https:\/\/ccucollections.com.au\/products\/antique-rare-victorian-era-upright-piano-wm-kenna-smith-manchester-c-1890-1910","provider":"CC\u0026U Collections","version":"1.0","type":"link"}