Harp

Object/Artifact

-

Swedish American Museum

2017.23.1A_Front

2017.23.1A_Front

Name/Title

Harp

Entry/Object ID

2017.23.1A

Description

Harpeleik with a design all around the border and a partially worn off inscription, "Reg. 1907 --- 429", in the top left corner.

Context

The harpeleik was invented in Sweden by Adolf Larsson in the late 1800s and was meant to be an easier to play version of the zither. Harpeleiks evolved as their own class of the similar instrument, the zither. They are still produced in Germany today. They have often have seven to nine chords, on up to eleven strings.

Acquisition

Accession

2017.23

Source or Donor

Evelyn Del Cid

Credit Line

Gift of Evelyn Del Cid

Made/Created

Date made

1907

Inscription/Signature/Marks

Transcription

In the upper left hand corner of the object there is a partially worn off inscription that says "Reg. 1907... 429". Inside the instrument's sound hole there is a makers' mark, but its text is indecipherable. On the back there is another inscription, written in what looks like red paint, that says "Beredskaps mine, Från Värmland, den 26-2 1944".

Language

Swedish

Translation

According to a museum staff member, the inscription on the back of the object can be loosely translated to "Preparedness memory, from Värmland, given 2-26-1944".

Lexicon

LOC Thesaurus for Graphic Materials

Musical instruments, Instruments, Musical

Dimensions

Height

22 in

Width

2 in

Length

18 in

Material

Wood

Reproductions

Notes

Reproduction of the Museum's artifacts for publication, commercial use, or distribution requires written permission.