The Erard piano came into the conservation workshops for a major clean and repair prior to the Victoria and Albert exhibition which was held in The Queen’s Gallery, 2010.

The decoration of the piano is made up of a water gilded surface, with elaborate oil painted scenes to the lids and sides and finished off with a varnish.

The main challenge was to remove the substantial surface dirt that had collected on the two main lids and the upper surfaces during the piano’s lifetime (it was purchased by Queen Victoria in 1856). There were also large areas of loss to the varnish on the lids where damage had occurred over time.

Find out even more about this magnificent piano with this short film.