Zither.
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InstrumentZither |
Instrument FamilyStrings |
Place MadeEurope ; Germany ; Central Europe |
Date MadeLate 19th or early 20th century |
DescriptionTechnical description: Back of black-stained pine. Sides and soundboard of painted wood. Bottom end is at a 90º angle to the spine. Side opposite the spine is similar to a guitar, having a lower bout and waist, then a sharp point as the upper bout. Rounded top. The strings attach at the bottom, and are covered by a screw-on plate. The nut is in two sections, the bass section is parallel to the bridge and carries all of the chords and the lowest single strings; the treble section nut is at an angle to the bridge therefore reducing the string length. Six chords in the chord section - E major/minor, A major, D major, F major, G major/minor, and C major. The single strings form a chromatic scale from C₄ to C₆ (2 octaves). Sound-hole diameter 68.5. The strings run over an iron rod with hitchpins behind at the bottom. Square-headed tuning-pins with holes in for the strings to pass through. Tuning-pins in groups of three in the chord section, groups of two for the single strings on the bass bridge, and individual for the strings that cross the angled treble nut. All of the chords have four strings. There are three buttons on the back of the instrument for resting the instrument on a flat surface. Overall size: 495. Body length: 495. Body width: 407 (maximum), 391 (at bottom), 389 (at `waist'), 398 (point above `waist'). Body depth: 37, 53 at bottom including string cover. String length: chords and single notes from C₄ to F♯₄, 415; other single strings to C₆, 409 - 173. Printed on label glued to the inner surface of the back and visible through the sound hole "ROYAL / Piano / Harp / Sold by / The Royal Piano Harp Co. / MADE IN SAXONY". Painted on the soundboard "Royal Piano Harp" in silver letters under the British coat of arms. Note names and numbers painted on the soundboard under the strings for the player's guidance. Decorative features: Painted soundboard of a cream colour with decoration around the edges, around the sound hole, under the chord strings and under all of the strings near the bottom. Repair History: Back has thin cracks in several places. |
NotesD.P. Martin, 1996-1997. |
Measurements495. |
Provenanceon loan to the Collection. |
CollectionMIMEd |
Accession Number0858 |