Skip to main content
Stromso star harp
Stromso star harp
Stromso star harp

Stromso star harp

Alternate name(s)
  • Fretless zither
  • Harp zither
  • Zither, chord, without melody strings
  • Chord zither
  • Swedish harp
Date1920-1950 ca.
Place MadeChicago, Illinois, United States, North America
ModelStromso Star Harp
Serial No.4.0F.1.Ch
SignedSoundhole label: yellow rectangular paper label with red border; inside border in red printed: THE STROMSO STAR HARP / E.G. LUNDQUIST & CO. / 5209 Broadway / CHICAGO / PATENTED / No. [written in black ink:] 4.0F.1.Ch / 4.0F.1.Ch
Markingsnone
DescriptionStrings: 124 metals strings grouped into 27 chords; strings arranged into 4 sets with bass
strings on the left of each set with higher strings on the right of each set
Body:
Top: hollow body; 4 triangular pieces of aluminum function as soundboards and anchor higher strings of each set; each chord labeled on soundboards
Back: black-painted spruce
Sides: aluminum frame; solid aluminum pin block on top side; steel handle on top side
Nut: single piece aluminum saddle attached to top of pin block; all strings originate at same nut and terminate at different bridges
Bridge: 24 aluminum bridges; 1 long bridge at base of instrument where bass strings terminate; 23 small bridges attached to triangular soundboards; two small holes behind each bridge where higher strings terminate
Tuning Pins: 124 steel tuning pins
Table-top Rests: 3 black-painted hardwood rests on back, attached to aluminum frame
DimensionsBody length: 490 mm / 19.3 inches
Body width: 415 mm / 16.3 inches
Body height: 72 mm / 2.8 inches
Bass string vibrating length: 451 mm / 17.8 inches
ProvenanceArne B. Larson Collection, Vermillion, South Dakota, 1979.
Published ReferencesSilva, Ana Sofia. "Digging the Fifties: A Curatorial Perspective on 50 Objects from the NMM Collections." NMM Notes (October 2023): 26-27.
Credit LineArne B. Larson Collection, 1979
Object number04950
On View
Not on view
Zitho-harp
Bredshall & Faber
1900 ca.
Zitho-harp
Bredshall & Faber
1900 ca.
Eolian Harp
Phonoharp Company
1900-1926 ca.
Salterio
Salvator Bofill
1760
Primzither
Georg Tiefenbrunner
1870 ca.
Euphonicon
John Steward
1841-1843 ca.
We use cookies to ensure we give you the best experience on our website. By continuing to use this site or by closing or clicking "I agree", you agree to the use of cookies. I agree