D Antonelli and Sons was established in 1896 by an Italian immigrant carpenter, Domenico Antonelli (1857 -1943). Antonelli left Italy in the late 1870s, gaining experience in Paris and London before settling in Manchester's Ancoats neighbourhood in 1894. While working in Paris, Antonelli met Simon Robino, a 'music marker' who placed the music rolls onto the barrels of pianos. Antonelli recognised Robino's talents as a 'music marker', and invited him to join his new business in Manchester manufacturing barrel pianos and organs.

Originally based at 121 Great Ancoats Street, by 1900 the company had moved to 59 Great Ancoats Street and 2-4 Blossom Street, a former furniture factory that was well-equipped for Antonelli's barrel pianos. In the following year, Antonelli patented a new method for installing barrels, which saved time for the manufacturer.

In 1905, there was a dispute between Antonelli and Robino, during which Antonelli tried unsuccessfully to obtain a court injunction stopping Robino from carrying on his own barrel piano refurbishment business. Although an injunction was not granted, the court awarded Antonelli damages.

D Antonelli and Sons instruments won international awards, including the 1906 Milan Bronze Medal, 1910 London Gold Medal and the 1911 Turin Silver Medal. The company is believed to be the only manufacturer in Manchester that produced barrel pianos from start to finish.

By 1911, Domenico Antonelli's three sons Ernesto, Luigi and Romelo had joined the family business. Ernesto and Luigi had studied at the Royal Manchester College of Music, gaining qualifications awarded by the Royal College of Music in London. Antonelli's eldest daughter Giulia (also known as Julia) also assisted in the business.

Cultural changes in the 1920s saw the popularity of barrel pianos and organs decline and the family made the decision to close the business, concentrating their efforts on another venture: the International Wafer Company, which the family established in 1912.