Name/Title
Pedal HarpEntry/Object ID
1979.12.1Description
Dark English harp with ornate brass detailing. Its frame is painted and stenciled with acanthus leaf, and there are the heads of many rams on the column face. At the base of the column, there are Adams style lion passants.Context
Jacob Erat (1758-1821) owned and operated the second largest harp shop in London in the 1800s, spanning his operation between two different addresses in the city. After Erat's death, the business continued in the hands of his sons, Jacob and James, under the name J. Erat and Sons. James then continued as the sole proprietor after Jacob's death in 1836. The business finally closed in 1858 upon the death of James. The company manufactured over 4,000 instruments between 1796 and 1858.
This harp was rented out from the Erat company to a Mrs. Thornhill, whose address was listed as 9 Alpha Cottages, for two months before being renewed for another six weeks as of March 16th, 1822. It was not recorded to have been rented out again until July 25, 1823, by a Mr. Dale of London, Poultry. The harp was then purchased from Erat by a Mr. Ollive, located at Kings Road in London, in September of 1823.Made/Created
Artist Information
Artist
Jacob EratRole
MakerDate made
circa 1822Inscription/Signature/Marks
Type
LabelLocation
Front side, topTranscription
J. Erat Maker Wardour Street Soho
London
419Material
Wood, Leather, Metal
