Harp-Lute
ca. 1810 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Edward Light (about 1747-about 1832) was an active inventor and composer who developed a number of stringed instruments based upon the harp and guitar, and wrote tutors for these instruments between about 1798 and 1820. In 1810 he invented the harp-lute, which soon became a fashionable instrument for ladies. Light's main patron was Princess Charlotte (1796-1817), the daughter of the Prince Regent. The instrument had 12 strings, seven of which could be played on the fingerboard, and five bass strings, four of which could be raised a semi-tone, by turning a blade or tangent called a 'ring stop'.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Painted, varnished and gilded pine |
| Brief description | English, 1811-15, E. Light. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions | 675. Light. Foley Place. London. (1) Decoration 2) Signature; English; Cursive; above the the fingerboard; gilding) |
| Gallery label | HARP-LUTE
English
By Edward Light, London, about 1810
Inscribed 675. Light. Foley Place, London
Strung with twelve strings, of which seven can be played on the fingerboard and five are basses, four of which can be raised a semi-tone by turning blades called "ring stops".
Non-Keyboard Catalogue No.: 13/8
Edward Light (c. 1747-c. 1832) was an active inventor and composer, developing a number of stringed instruments based upon the harp and guitar and writing a number of tutors for these instruments. He patented the Harp-Lute in 1818, although he invented it some eight years earlier. He was organist of Trinty Chapel, St. George's. Hannover Square and "Lyrist to H.R.H. The Princess Charlotte] of Wales". His business partner was Angelo Ventura, who also invented harp variants and composed for these instruments.
37-1873(pre September 2000) |
| Summary | Edward Light (about 1747-about 1832) was an active inventor and composer who developed a number of stringed instruments based upon the harp and guitar, and wrote tutors for these instruments between about 1798 and 1820. In 1810 he invented the harp-lute, which soon became a fashionable instrument for ladies. Light's main patron was Princess Charlotte (1796-1817), the daughter of the Prince Regent. The instrument had 12 strings, seven of which could be played on the fingerboard, and five bass strings, four of which could be raised a semi-tone, by turning a blade or tangent called a 'ring stop'. |
| Bibliographic reference | London, Victoria & Albert Museum: Catalogue of Musical Instruments in the Victoria & Albert Museum. Part II, Anthony Baines: Non-keyboard instruments (London, 1998), p. 69 |
| Other number | 675 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 37-1873 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | May 16, 2001 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
