A rare Laurence & Nash upright piano in its original bespoke wood veneer cabinet.

Designed by the late Dr Alastair Laurence, only 56 Laurence & Nash pianos were ever produced. These distinctive British-built instruments were supplied to prestigious institutions including the BBC and the Royal Albert Hall, making them exceptionally rare on the open market.

This particular piano spent the majority of its working life in Studio MV5 at BBC Maida Vale Studios. During the 2000s and early 2010s, MV5 became the primary location for the legendary BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge, while also hosting sessions for the BBC Radio 2 Piano Room. Over the years, the studio welcomed many of the world's biggest recording artists, with countless performances broadcast live on BBC Radio and streamed millions of times online.

As the resident piano in MV5, this instrument was played on hundreds of live sessions, interviews and exclusive cover performances. Many Live Lounge recordings have since become iconic in their own right, with the programme widely regarded as one of the most influential live music platforms in modern British broadcasting. This piano can be identified in studio footage with artists including Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift, Björk, Avril Lavigne, Lily Allen and many others, its distinctive cabinet design and unique wood grain making it instantly recognisable.

The striking bespoke veneer was specially selected to complement the acoustic treatment and interior design of the Maida Vale studio, giving the piano a character unlike any standard production instrument.

Like all BBC studio instruments, it benefited from meticulous professional maintenance throughout its working life, receiving regular tuning, regulation and servicing to ensure it was always ready for broadcast and recording.

Acquired directly from BBC Maida Vale Studios as part of the BBC's relocation from the historic Maida Vale complex, this is a genuine opportunity to own an instrument that formed part of one of the most important recording environments in British popular music.

Whether appreciated as a fine musical instrument, a collector's piece or an important artefact of British broadcasting history, this Laurence & Nash represents an exceptionally rare opportunity to own a piano with remarkable provenance.