Triple Harp
About 1740 (Made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The Welsh triple harp has no pedals but is fitted with three rows of strings, the two outside ones tuned identically and diatonically (i.e. in a major or minor key), and the middle one chromatically. The instrument is said to have been made by John Richards of Llanrwst (1711-1789), Wales' leading harp-maker and player during the 18th century. It belonged to Augusta, Lady Llanover (1802-1896), a leading patroness of Welsh harpists and a champion of the Welsh triple harp.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | carved and planed sycamore frame and ribs; planed pine belly. |
| Brief description | Triple harp, sycamore frame and ribs, pine soundboard, by 'J.R.' (possibly John Richards of Llanrwst), Welsh, about 1740. |
| Physical description | "A high-headed harp with back of nine ribs of sycamore, similar to 16/1 [triple harp by David Evans, Museum no. 1740-1869], though much less elaborate. Slightly rising belly of two pieces of pine, undecorated, with six small soundholes and the string holes shod with iron staples. The post is undecorated. The neck terminates in a rudimentary scroll." Anthony Baines, Catalogue of Musical Instruments in the Victoria and Albert Museum - Part II: Non-keyboard instruments (London, 1998), p. 77. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | J.R. Note J.R. is painted three times on the neck. |
| Gallery label |
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| Credit line | Given by Lady Llanover |
| Object history | This instrument originally belonged to Augusta, Lady Llanover (1802-1896), a champion of the Welsh triple harp. |
| Production | The initials J.R. are painted on the neck of this harp, and were claimed by the donor, Augusta, Lady Llanover, to stand for John Richards. |
| Summary | The Welsh triple harp has no pedals but is fitted with three rows of strings, the two outside ones tuned identically and diatonically (i.e. in a major or minor key), and the middle one chromatically. The instrument is said to have been made by John Richards of Llanrwst (1711-1789), Wales' leading harp-maker and player during the 18th century. It belonged to Augusta, Lady Llanover (1802-1896), a leading patroness of Welsh harpists and a champion of the Welsh triple harp. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | W.24-1918 |
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| Record created | May 16, 2001 |
| Record URL |
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