THEODOR STöCKER DOWNSTRIKING GRAND PIANO, BERLIN, 1855

Willem Julius Theodor Stöcker was born in Berlin in 1811. As a child in a rich family, he had ample opportunity to develop his interest in mathematics and mechanics, which inspired him to construct instruments. He initially received instruction from the maker Kistings 'die Hôhe Schule des Klavierbaus' in Berlin. After this, he went on fact-finding trips to France, England, the Netherlands and Belgium in order to learn about Modern European piano construction. He established his own company in Berlin in 1838. He totally dedicated himself to the downstriking action as he had learned at Pape in Paris. In this system, the hammers do not strike the strings from below, but instead from above. Stöcker turned it into an extremely inventive construction, which enjoyed many years of success. An identical grand can be found in the Deutches Museum Munchen. 

Technical data:

• Inscription: TH. StöCKER BERLIN
• Compass: 7 octaves (AAA-a'''')
• Keyboard: naturals in ivory, sharps in ebony
• Pedals: 2: controlling keyboard shift - dampers
• Dimensions: L 193 cm / W 141 cm
• Serial number: 703
• Chris Maene Collection number: CM 12 121
• Condition: original
• Location: 2 - Museum "Chris Maene Collection" Ruiselede