Welsh Triple Harp
The triple harp first developed in Italy and appeared in the British Isles by the early seventeenth century. The instrument became so popular with Welsh harpists, especially those residing in London, that by the eighteenth century it was known as the ‘Welsh triple harp.’ The instrument has three rows of strings, with the two outside rows tuned in unison to a diatonic scale, and the middle row tuned to the chromatic notes. This instrument was made by John Richards of Llanrwst, also active in Glanbran, Wales’ leading harp maker of the eighteenth century.
The harp was heavily used and shows signs of multiple restorations, several at the hands of important harp makers themselves. The earliest restoration was done by a craftsperson identified only as the successor to John Richards. An early nineteenth century renovation was performed by the eminent London harp maker Joseph Morley.
The harp was heavily used and shows signs of multiple restorations, several at the hands of important harp makers themselves. The earliest restoration was done by a craftsperson identified only as the successor to John Richards. An early nineteenth century renovation was performed by the eminent London harp maker Joseph Morley.
Artwork Details
- Title: Welsh Triple Harp
- Maker: John Richards (British (born Wales), Llanrwst 1711–1789)
- Date: ca. 1750
- Geography: Llanrwst, Wales, United Kingdom
- Culture: British (Welsh)
- Medium: Wood, various materials.
- Dimensions: Height: extreme 198.5 cm.
length of pillar 188.0 cm.,
above soundboard 128.5 cm.
Soundboard: resonating length 118.0 cm., greatest width 51.0 cm.;
Strings: longest 168.0 cm.
shortest 11.0 cm.
c2 27.0 cm. - Classification: Chordophone-Harp
- Credit Line: The Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments, 1889
- Object Number: 89.4.1087
- Curatorial Department: Musical Instruments
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