Schleip, Johann Christian

Extract

(b Tüngeda, nr Gotha, Germany, Sept 2, 1786; d Berlin, Germany, Sept 8, 1848). German piano maker, especially of the ‘Lyraflügel’, a lyre piano, though he also made grands and at least one pedal piano. He might have studied with a Thuringian piano maker, having established his business in his hometown by 1813, advertising pianos with English or Viennese actions. After arriving in Berlin by 1818, he might initially have been employed by the cabinetmaker and furniture dealer Siegling, as the inscription ‘Sylig’ appears in one piano. In 1828 Schleip married Emilie Albertine Runge; they had one son, Benedictus Schleip (b Berlin, Germany, 29 July 1831; d Berlin, 1901), who took over the workshop after his father’s death. The firm was purchased by Carl Hintze in 1908.

Schleip’s extant lyre pianos have three different compasses which might represent different periods: F′–f ″″ before 1832, D′–g″″ from 1832 to 1836...