Bell harp
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InstrumentBell harp/Zithers/Strings/Musical Instrument ; Bell harp |
Instrument FamilyStrings |
Place MadeEurope ; England ; United Kingdom |
Date Made1700-1750 |
DescriptionSoundboard of spruce, grain from left to right; 2 roses, both of incised wood, diameter 46.5mm; case of stained sycamore, corners dovetailed together. Bottom piece 9.3mm thick, sides 6.2mm thick, top carved. Baseboard sycamore 6.0mm thick. Total case height 48.7mm, top of soundboard 18.6mm below top of case. Bridges of sycamore, brass strips inlaid for strings to run over; no bridge pins. Nut pins on the wrestplank between the tuning-pins and nut, diameter 0.86mm. Hitchpins into soundboard diameter 1.29mm. Square-headed tuning-pins. Triple strung, except for the two long bass notes which are double strung. Soundboard divided down the centre. Top of sycamore in two parts, originally glued together, thickness 5.6mm, that fits over instrument leaving a space of c 75mm for the strings to be plucked. Strip of late 19th century (wood pulp) paper, indicating notes in stave notation on the left hand side A₂, D₃, E₃, F♯₃, G₃, A₃, B₃, C₄; on the right hand side B₄, A₄, G₄, F♯₄, E₄, D₄, C♯₄, G₂; also in letters on the left hand side "a", "D", "E", "F♯", "G", "A", "B", "C"; on the right hand side "B", "A", "G", "F♯", "E", "D", "C♯", "g" Overall size: 508. Body width, upper bouts: 318 (top) Body width, lower bouts: 200 (bottom) Body depth: 49. Associated with two plectrums, (3361) and (3362). Specific literature references: G.S. (1968) No 638. |
NotesD.P. Martin, 27.10.93. |
Measurements508. |
ProvenanceBequeathed with plectrums (3361) and (3362) to the Edinburgh Museum of Science and Art by Miss H.A. Watson of Edinburgh, acquired by the Museum in 1890. ; Lent by the Trustees of the National Museums of Scotland, NMS 1890.939. |
CollectionMIMEd |
Accession Number3360 |