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Fretless zither
Alternate name:Greek zither
Alternate name:Mandolin zither
Alternate name:Automatic harp
Maker: Arne B. Larson
Date: 1969
Place Made:Vermillion, South Dakota, United States, North America
Model: Greek zither
Serial No: none
Signednone
Markingsnone
DescriptionIn imitation of the automatic harps used in Odd Fellows ceremonies.
Strings: 8 metal strings diatonically tuned to harmonic minor scale
Body: hollow body with curvilinear side and two arms creating a semi-circular shape resembling a lyre; red-varnished maple top, back, and sides; red-varnished maple bar underneath strings likely for placement of pitch designation decal
Nut: red-varnished maple with brass staple fret; located diagonal to strings
Bridge: red-varnished maple with brass staple fret; located diagonal to strings
Soundhole: 4 soundholes total; 2 soundholes on middle section of soundboard each edged with white celluloid painted with yellow finish; 2 soundholes at the ends of each arm, each covered with gold-painted hardwood overlay
Tuning Pins: 8 steel tuning pins; 8 iron hitchpins
Table-top Rests: raised red-varnished strip on bridge side of instrument to prop instrument while playing
Strings: 8 metal strings diatonically tuned to harmonic minor scale
Body: hollow body with curvilinear side and two arms creating a semi-circular shape resembling a lyre; red-varnished maple top, back, and sides; red-varnished maple bar underneath strings likely for placement of pitch designation decal
Nut: red-varnished maple with brass staple fret; located diagonal to strings
Bridge: red-varnished maple with brass staple fret; located diagonal to strings
Soundhole: 4 soundholes total; 2 soundholes on middle section of soundboard each edged with white celluloid painted with yellow finish; 2 soundholes at the ends of each arm, each covered with gold-painted hardwood overlay
Tuning Pins: 8 steel tuning pins; 8 iron hitchpins
Table-top Rests: raised red-varnished strip on bridge side of instrument to prop instrument while playing
DimensionsBody: 670 mm / 26.4 in by 420 mm / 16.5 in at widest points
Highest string vibrating length: 310 mm / 12.2 in
Lowest string vibrating length: 565 mm / 22.2 in
Highest string vibrating length: 310 mm / 12.2 in
Lowest string vibrating length: 565 mm / 22.2 in
ProvenanceArne B. Larson Collection, Vermillion, South Dakota, 1979.
Terms
Credit Line: Arne B. Larson Collection, 1979
On view
Object number: 04229