Double-action pedal harp
Maker
Sebastien Erard
Date1820 ca.
Place MadeLondon, England, Europe
Serial No.3236
SignedEngraved on brass plate for the mechanism, at the player’s left: Sebastian Erard’s / Patent N 3236 / 18, Great Marlborough Street, LONDON
To the left of this is the royal shield surrounded by a lion and unicorn and surmounted by a crown; with mottoes HONI·SOIT QUI·MALY·PEN (sic: correctly it should end “mal y pense”) and DIEU ET MON DROIT.
On the plate at the player’s right: MAKER / By Special Appointment / to his Majesty And the / ROYAL FAMILY.DescriptionDouble-action pedal harp with Erard’s patent fourchettes. Compass: 43 strings, presumably the standard EE(b) to e(#)4, 43 strings. The swell mechanism and pedal have been removed, and the slot for the pedal in the base has been filled in. Grecian-style decoration of the later type with caryatids at the top of the column. Rounded plain maple back with five rectangular openings. The soundboard, apparently original, is laminated, the face a veneer of slightly curly maple with grain running vertically over the inner layer of normal softwood with its grain running horizontally.Dimensionsin mm: Height (floor to top of column at its joint with the neck): approximately 170 cm Body: 357 wide at bottom of soundboard; 89 at top
Credit LinePaul and Jean Christian Collection
Object number12636
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