A Century After, Historic Steinway Piano Returns Home

A lavish room with ornate décor, featuring a grand piano, a white bust above a fireplace, elegant wall designs, and vintage furniture on a patterned rug.

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is ever more vibrant with the exciting return of a one-of-a-kind 1916 Steinway & Sons Grand Piano. Originally commissioned by Vizcaya’s patron, James Deering, this extraordinary instrument has found its way back home after nearly a century away.

A Masterpiece of Craftsmanship and Culture

Crafted by the renowned Steinway & Sons in New York, this Classic Grand piano is a stunning example of exceptional artistry and engineering. Vizcaya’s artistic director Paul Chalfin oversaw the commission, selecting a model B—the ideal size for both concert halls and private homes—in Louis XIV style, featuring delicate carvings and undulating scalloped forms inspired by an antique harpsichord Deering purchased the previous year. The six-legged maple wood piano was delivered to Chalfin, who added gilding and painted foliage-scroll motifs to the art case. As a tribute to the owner, Chalfin included James Deering’s initial on the lid, ensuring it remained a lasting testament to his legacy.

Beyond its aesthetic beauty, owning a Steinway & Sons piano symbolized wealth, refinement and high culture—a centerpiece for the musical evenings that were a cornerstone of Vizcaya’s social life. Today, it stands as both a historical artifact and a way to reconnect with Vizcaya’s musical past.

Tracing the Journey of a Lost Treasure

The piano’s journey from creation to its remarkable return is a captivating story. Commissioned in 1915 and completed in 1916, the piano was a prominent feature in Vizcaya’s Music Room during Deering’s lifetime. It was documented in archival photographs and listed in the 1927 inventory of Vizcaya’s contents taken after Deering’s death. Yet, sometime in the late 1920s or early 1930s, the piano was removed from the estate.

Decades later, it resurfaced in private hands. The piano was carefully preserved by a family that acquired it in the 1980s and passed down through inheritance until 2005. With generous support from our donors, Vizcaya was able to acquire this cherished part of its musical legacy and share it with our nearly 400,000 annual visitors.

Reviving Vizcaya’s Musical Spirit

The piano’s return marks a significant moment in Vizcaya’s history, enriching the museum’s collection of musical instruments. On display in the Music Room, visitors can view the antique harpsichord that inspired the piano’s case design, as well as a dulcimer and a harp. Over a century ago, James Deering hosted musical performances at Vizcaya, with musicians playing the Steinway piano, now displayed in the Reception Room, as well as his Welte-Mignon organ in the Living Room. He also enjoyed the melodies of a self-playing piano hidden along the Spiral Staircase. Visitors can now imagine the lively soirées of Deering’s time, where music filled the halls, bringing guests together in celebration and culture.

Experience the Steinway Piano Today

Whether you’re a lover of music, history or art, James Deering’s Steinway & Sons Classic Grand piano is sure to inspire awe. This is not just an object; it’s a connection to the world of James Deering and the enduring legacy of Vizcaya. Come and see the piano that brings history to life—once lost, now returned and forever cherished.

Close-up of rare orchids in a greenhouse setting with text promoting a behind-the-scenes tour at Vizcaya Museum and Gardens.

Visiting this Friday? Jump on this Exclusive Tour!

If you love orchids, you don’t miss this special behind-the-scenes tour on Friday, December 13, 11:30 a.m. Join Vizcaya’s own orchid specialist as we go inside the museum’s greenhouse to explore rare orchids and learn expert plant care tips.

Tickets are just $39 per person and include museum admission. Spots are limited, so reserve yours now!