Harp
ca. 1820 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
In about 1819, John Egan invented the 'Royal Portable' harp, which was made up of a hollow column at the front and a rounded resonator at the back, to project the sound. Instead of using pedals, Egan introduced hand-operated levers so as to produce sharps and flats, but he claimed that this instrument was suitable for all types of harp music. This light and portable version of the harp was comparatively easy to play, and enjoyed great popularity during the 1820s.
John Egan was active in Dublin between about 1804 and 1841 and advertised himself in 1822 as 'Portable Harp maker to the King'. During the early 1800s, harp playing enjoyed a revival in Ireland, and harp societies were established in Belfast in 1809 and in Dublin in 1810.
John Egan was active in Dublin between about 1804 and 1841 and advertised himself in 1822 as 'Portable Harp maker to the King'. During the early 1800s, harp playing enjoyed a revival in Ireland, and harp societies were established in Belfast in 1809 and in Dublin in 1810.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts. (Some alternative part names are also shown below)
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| Materials and techniques | Japanned wood, with painted gold decoration |
| Brief description | Harp, Irish, John Egan, 1820-1825 |
| Physical description | Description transcribed from department file: Harp. Round back with six slot-shaped soundholes. This and the belly japanned black and trimmed with floral decoration painted in gold. The curved post is fixed to a square base for standing, which is not original. The neck is offset to the right and tuned on the right. Single action mechanism by fourchettes actuated by seven hand levers (their buttons now missing) located along the inner side of the post. Thirty-four gut strings. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | J.Egan Inventor/ 31 Dawson St/ Dublin (1) Decoration 2) Signature; English; On the brass strip on the neck bearing the mechanism.; engraving) |
| Gallery label |
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| Object history | This formed part of the collection of Carl Engel (1919 - 1882), a leading musicologist who published the Descriptive Catalogue of the Musical Instruments in the South Kensington Museum (London, 1874). Engel's collection was bought by the museum in 1882, nos. 150 to 350, for £555. 6s. 0d. RP 2315/1882 Bought for £5 |
| Summary | In about 1819, John Egan invented the 'Royal Portable' harp, which was made up of a hollow column at the front and a rounded resonator at the back, to project the sound. Instead of using pedals, Egan introduced hand-operated levers so as to produce sharps and flats, but he claimed that this instrument was suitable for all types of harp music. This light and portable version of the harp was comparatively easy to play, and enjoyed great popularity during the 1820s. John Egan was active in Dublin between about 1804 and 1841 and advertised himself in 1822 as 'Portable Harp maker to the King'. During the early 1800s, harp playing enjoyed a revival in Ireland, and harp societies were established in Belfast in 1809 and in Dublin in 1810. |
| Bibliographic reference | London, Victoria & Albert Museum: Catalogue of Musical Instruments in the Victoria & Albert Museum. Part II, Anthony Baines: Non-keyboard instruments (London, 1998), pp. 82 - 83. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 332-1882 |
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| Record created | May 16, 2001 |
| Record URL |
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