Langspil (Zither)

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Alternative Title

Langspil.

Instrument

Langspil/Zithers/Strings/Musical Instrument ; Langspil

Instrument Family

Strings

Place Made

Europe ; Iceland ; Northern Europe

Date Made

First half of 19th century or earlier

Description

This instrument is made of pine. The soundboard and back overlap the ribs by 3mm. There are 4 strings, one bowed and three drones, one of the drones possibly tuned an octave higher, going through a hook in the soundboard 468mm from the nut. The hitchpins are attached to the bottom of the instrument. The tuning pegs go into a scroll, similar to that on a hurdy gurdy; the bowed string peg of stained beech, an unoriginal drone peg of oak. There is an iron plate on the nut and bridge for the strings to run over. Measurements: Sound-hole at the widest part of the soundboard, 40mm diameter, marks on the soundboard to indicate that the rose was 48mm. Distance of frets to the nut 749mm, 666.5mm, 630mm, 564mm, 501.5mm, 473mm, 420.5mm, 374mm, 333.5mm, 316mm, 282.5mm, 252mm, 238mm, 211.5mm, 187.5mm, 168, 159.5mm. Repair History: Of the three tuning-pegs present, one has an ivory button matching those on the scroll; the remaining two are presumably replacements. Inscriptions: Paper label on base printed "INDUSTRIAL MUSEUM / of Scotland / No." followed with ink "301" and added in pencil ".26". Decorative features: Scrol decorated with two ivory buttons. Rose missing; one tuning-peg missing; all strings missing, though there is a remnant of gut bowed string and steel or iron wire on the next pin. Of the three tuning-pegs present, one has an ivory button matching those on the scroll; the remaining two are presumably replacements. General usage of type: Icelandic form is unusual in the use of a bow to sound all the strings together (while at other times plucked with the fingers. General literature references: Baines 1992, p. 189. Associated with bow (3386). Previous ownership: Acquired with bow (3386) and other items from the Faeroes and Iceland by the Edinburgh Museum of Science and Art from R.M. Smith of Leith in December 1858. Current ownership: Lent by the Trustees of the National Museums of Scotland, NMS A301.26.

Other Information

General usage of type: The Icelandic form is unusual in the use of a bow to sound all the strings together (while at other times plucked with the fingers.

Notes

D. Martin, 27.10.93, 1994; R. Parks 27.10.93.

Measurements

992.

Provenance

Acquired with bow (3386) and other items from the Faeroes and Iceland by the Edinburgh Museum of Science and Art from R.M. Smith of Leith in December 1858. ; Lent by the Trustees of the National Museums of Scotland, NMS A301.26

Collection

MIMEd

Accession Number

3385

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