Piano; Charles Begg; Pre-1865; 1904/34/1
Name/Title
Piano
Piano
About this object
This rimu piano, made in Dunedin by Charles Begg, is said to have been the first piano manufactured in New Zealand. It was awarded a medal at the 1865 New Zealand Exhibition in Dunedin. Charles Begg began as a piano maker in Aberdeen before bringing his wife and two daughters out to Dunedin on the ship Robert Henderson in 1861. Here he worked as a piano tuner, opened a piano salesroom and began seasoning local wood to make pianos. Ultimately however Begg found local wood, which had a tendency to shrink and warp, unsuitable for musical instrument making. Instead he concentrated on importing and his music business eventually became one of the largest of its type in the country with branches throughout New Zealand.
This rimu piano, made in Dunedin by Charles Begg, is said to have been the first piano manufactured in New Zealand. It was awarded a medal at the 1865 New Zealand Exhibition in Dunedin. Charles Begg began as a piano maker in Aberdeen before bringing his wife and two daughters out to Dunedin on the ship Robert Henderson in 1861. Here he worked as a piano tuner, opened a piano salesroom and began seasoning local wood to make pianos. Ultimately however Begg found local wood, which had a tendency to shrink and warp, unsuitable for musical instrument making. Instead he concentrated on importing and his music business eventually became one of the largest of its type in the country with branches throughout New Zealand.
Maker Role
Manufacturer
Manufacturer
Date Made
Pre-1865
Pre-1865
Object number
1904/34/1
1904/34/1
Tags
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