Dital harp.
1
Photo by Dominic Ibbotson © The University of Edinburgh
InstrumentDital harp |
Instrument FamilyStrings |
MakerLight |
Place MadeEurope; England; London; United Kingdom |
Date MadeEarly 19th Century |
DescriptionTechnical description: The lower section of the body (in plan view) is rounded, with straight sides from bridge level to the neck and column joints. The back is rounded, the straight section having seven ribs, the central rib being wider than the others, and the lower section being bent out of a single piece, butting to the ribs. The lower part is at an angle of approximately 75º to the soundboard. The central rib has a single oblong slot with rounded ends cut into it, measuring 71 × 17. The interior can be seen through this slot. There is no rose. The back joints are covered with strips of parchment (?), width approximately 25. The soundboard has four lateral bars - one above the rosehole, three below. Raised fingerboard. Nuts and frets of ivory. Strings 8-11 have semitone ditals, the dital for string 8 has a lock turning mechanism on the underside of the headpiece, the others have to be turned from the top. There is a hole in the fingerboard between strings 5 and 6, set between the nut and fret 1 (based on the 5th string viewpoint, frets 1 and 2 when considered from the 6th string). Column diameter approximately 21, fluted. Square-headed tuning-pins. Overall size: 859. Body length: 425. Body width: 366 (widest), 155 (neck). Body depth: 134 (deepest), 61 (neck). String length 1: 366 (string 1), 385 (strings 2-5), 410 (strings 6-7). String length 2: 596, 618, 631, 643, 653. Number of frets: 7 at string 1. Inscribed "Light, / Foley Place / London" Decorative features: The column on the bass side is in a classical style fluted along the length with a carved finial. The headstock ends in a scroll and sits on the column. Instrument painted black with gilt decoration around the sound hole and edge of the soundboard, a drop above the sound hole, trophy below the sound hole and an angel playing a lyre between the bridge and the bottom of the instrument. The edge decoration includes angel's heads and lyres. The bottom and finial of the column gilt, as are the flutes along the column. Gilt lines forming borders near the edges of the ribs and lower curved piece on the back, the top of the body, and the neck and headstock. Gilt around edge and flowers to give the impression of a scroll. Wooden case, lined inside with red cloth. Case shaped with five sides at the body section, two long sides along the neck and column, and two sides at the top, that on the bass side being almost a right angle, with the treble side being at an angle to that side and the treble long side. |
NotesD.P. Martin, 25/11/95 |
Measurements859. |
ProvenanceGovernment allocation to the University, 1991. |
CollectionC.H. Brackenbury Memorial Collection; MIMEd |
Accession Number1108 |