Double-action harp, japanned and gilded wood, Sebastian Erard, 1802

Museum number

F140

Object

Double-action harp, japanned and gilded wood, Sebastian Erard, 1802

Description

Erard single action harp, 1802. Walnut and bronze with painted decoration and gilding, 8 iron pedals.Of conventional form with 41 strings and eight pedals. The upright pillar carved as a fluted column, decorated in black and gold, rising from a baluster shaped base carved and gilt with water or lotus leaves and circular beaded moulding, the capital carved and gilt with water and acanthus leaves, anthemion, rams' heads and floral swags topped by a flat disc from which springs the bronze and timber aupper frame of the harp, the bronze arm inscribed "Sebastian Erard's PATENT HARP No. 484 No 18 Great Marlborough Street, LONDON". The sound board of walnut (?) with rounded back , the soundboard itself painted with two black panels bordered with naturalistic English flowers (roses, cornflowers etc) in pink, blue and green, the back part painted black. the base with gadrooned border on the sides, carved oak leaves on the upper side, all gilt, and four stylised lion paw feet, eight iron pedals of varying sizes.Partly gilded, partly japanned, and painted with pink and blue flowers. Fluted pillar with capital of water and acanthus leaves alternating and ram's heads with festoons. No.484 made by Sebastian Erard (41 strings, all missing). Repaired 1975-7.

Materials

Walnut

Inscription

Inscribed on the bronze, "Sebastian Erard's PATENT HARP No 484 No 18 Great Marlborough Street LONDON"

On display?

Yes

Further description

Simple name

Musical Instrument

Subject

Architectural

Dimensions

regular: 80.0cm (h) x 63.0cm (l) x 112.0cm (w)