Tickling the Ivories (Quite Literally)

My quilting projects are going to have to take a backseat for a while.  A new love has come to town: a 1904 A&S Nordheimer Upright Cabinet Piano.  My amazing gift from my husband for Valentine's Day.  Thanks to the overwhelming generosity and muscle power of my brothers- and sisters-in-law, this gorgeous piano made it's way, slowly but surely, into my home last night.

It's truly a thing of beauty.  Solid mahogany case, intricately carved wood legs and face, real ivory and ebony keys, worn edges from thousands of hours of practice through the years, and a name of a child scratched into the side.  This child is now grown and has grown children of her own.  She took pictures of the piano as we were moving it, and stood at the front window to say goodbye as we drove away.  This piano is as heavy with history as it is physically.  I am honored and overjoyed to make it part of my family's history now.

I'm off to tinkle around on the keys and think about the many sets of fingers who have tickled the (real!) ivories through the years.

Settled in its new home.

The front carvings.

The finials on the legs.

Isn't she beautiful?