MCI Project Summaries 2008 - Smithsonian Institution

MCI 6236 18 th and 19 th Century Piano Wire
MCI Staff: Martha Goodway, Judy Watson
Four samples of overspun strings from English square pianos were imaged and analyzed
for the core and overspun wire using the SEM-EDS to determine the presence and distribution of
silver, as well as the copper and zinc (and other elements if present) content, in order to answer
questions relating to the manufacture of these objects and the technological knowledge and
abilities of the manufacturers. A paper on this project has been published.
Cross section of the sample of overspun wire from the Beck in 1” diameter mount.
Heavily silvered overspun string from the ca. 1790 Beck. The thick silver coating on the copper wire did not adhere
well and pulled out during repolishing.
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