This is an upright grand piano, with an action at the bottom end of the strings, manufactured by piano maker William Adam Stodart, a son of English piano maker Robert Stodart.

An upright piano’s soundboard and plane of the strings are strung vertically, perpendicular to its keyboard. One of the advantages of this is that it takes up less floor space than a grand piano, and it is also more affordable. However, one would distinguish this piano as quite lavish among other upright pianos due to its extravagant red velvet and brass designs, along with the fact that it is a grand.

Robert Stodart (fl. 1775-96) founded the Stodart company in London around 1775, and the company manufactured pianos until 1861. Stodart’s knowledge of harpsichord and piano construction came from John Broadwood’s work, and Stodart eventually helped create the English grand piano action. Matthew and William Stodart, Robert Stodart’s sons, became full partners in 1794. After Robert’s retirement in 1796, the company went by “M. & W. Stodart.” In 1795, the company began producing upright pianos, and developed the patent for an upright cabinet piano design.

William Adam Stodart was the son (or possibly nephew) of English piano maker Robert Stodart. “William Stodart” is first listed as a music store owner in Richmond, VA in 1818 where he sold music publications of New York’s William Dubois.  In 1819, he moved to New York City as “Adam Stodart” and began importing and selling instruments built by his relatives in London. (“Stodart Piano Company – Antique Piano Shop” 2018)