Around the turn of the twentieth century a period of prosperity inspired an interest in culture and the arts. As the only source of music in the home, the domestic importance of the piano was at its peak. At this time the wealthy commissioned bespoke, art cased pianos as visible status symbols to stand as centrepieces in a room. Technical innovation of the instrument had reached its maturity prompting a flourish in custom made, luxurious cases.

The breathtaking craftsmanship illustrated by these pianos reflect a climactic time in piano making and stand as monuments to the position of the piano in social history. By 1905, gramophone and disc recordings were available allowing the passive enjoyment of music.

• About Besbrode Pianos

"The Golden Age of Pianos" A collection of unique, art cased pianos from the height of European piano making. These breathtaking pianos have been sourced from across Europe to feature exclusively in this collection, each of artistic and cultural interest. Art cased pianos are pianos with beautifully designed cabinets. Sometimes designed by famous designers or architects. Often these pianos are representative of specific art periods such as Art Deco, Art Nouveau, Arts and Crafts, Neoclassical, Empire style, Rococo, Louis XV, Regency style, Sheraton style, Adams style, Queen Anne, Chippendale... These art case pianos often represent the highest craftsmanship, whether it be exquisite, marquetry inlay, ornate, hand carved detail, intricate brass ormolu, or beautiful hand-painted decoration. Some of these art cased pianos are unique, with others only a limited number were made. The collection includes a unique Bechstein piano that stood next to The "Rheingold" Bechstein at the Berlin Trade Exhibition of 1896, an Art Nouveau Bechstein Model C inlaid with flowers and tendrils commissioned by Julius Gutermann, a wealthy victorian industrialist, a Broadwood designed by T G Jackson and made for Athelstan Riley's Music Gallery and other pianos designed for the Great Exhibitions.

This exclusive collection is situated at Besbrode Pianos in Leeds UK. Since 1979, Besbrode Pianos has been a specialist piano dealer and wholesaler based in Leeds, UK. Our extensive showrooms occupy three premises including four floors of a Victorian mill on the edge of Leeds city centre. This makes us one of the UK's largest retailers. We permanently display more than 250 new and pre-owned pianos from leading brands with an entire floor dedicated to the Steinway family of pianos. This impressive inventory offers pianists an unrivalled opportunity to play and compare pianos side by side. We are experts in packing and shipping and have been selling pianos individually and by wholesale across the globe for the last thirty years. Besbrode Pianos is an authorised agent for Steinway & Sons and offers the full range of Steinway, Boston and Essex pianos for retail.

For last six years Besbrode Pianos has been official partner to the Leeds International Piano Competition, providing pianos for the competitor's rehearsals. Our showrooms were featured in the BBC footage of the Leeds International Piano Competition 2012. BBC Footage: A brief history of the pianoforte - Leeds International Piano Competition 2012. Footage filmed at Besbrode Pianos Showroom. Our clients include pianists and piano lovers from around the world including Nikolai Demidenko, Joanna MacGregor, Arthur Pizarro, Noriko Ogawa, Jeremy Russell and Barry Douglas, who selected a brand new Steinway Model D Concert Grand from Steinway & Sons London showrooms, available for hire exclusively from Besbrode Pianos Leeds. Our hire pianos are regularly hired out by the regions leading music venues, churches and music organisations such as Leeds Town Hall, ABRSM, Royal College of Music and the Halle orchestra and have accompanied many famous stars such as Madonna, Tony Bennett and Dionne Warwick. We maintain an active interest in the region's art scene and regularly hold musical events in support many national and local charities including Kidney research fund, Friends of University Art and Music, Marie Curie Care, Cancer research, Red Cross and Diabetes Uk.