The illustrious company of Erard was founded in 1780 by Sebastien Erard (born Sebastien Erhard at Strasbourg). He fled to London to escape the French Revolution, having had to many commissions from French nobility. He left his Paris business to his brother, Jean Baptiste. This formed the basis of English French exchange of insights in the piano building trade, resulting in an instrument that paved the way to the modern piano; the repetition action was invented and developed by Erard.
This particular instrument was sold in June 1837 to Monsieur Monnier in Lyon for 3200 francs.

The miniature is of an unknown gentleman by John Turmeau 1837.