Hooked Harp
Unknown Artist
early 19th century
Medium
Wood, various materials
Dimensions
Extreme H: 152 cm (59 13/16 in); Pillar L. 151 cm (59 7/16 in); Soundboard: resonating L. 114 cm (44 7/8 in), Greatest W. 33.2 cm (13 1/16 in); Strings (sounding length): longest 134 cm (52 3/4 in), shortest 9.7 cm (3 13/16 in)
Classification
Chordophone-Harp
Culture
German or Austrian
Department
Musical Instruments
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments, 1889
Accession Number
89.4.2125
Art Historical Context
Nestled in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's renowned Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments this *Hooked Harp* from the early 19th century exemplifies the craftsmanship of German or Austrian luthiers. Standing an imposing 152 cm tall with a pillar length of 151 cm, it is constructed from wood and various materials, reflecting the era's blend of functionality and elegance. Acquired in 1889, it offers a tangible link to the Romantic period, when harps graced salons and orchestras across Europe. As a chordophone classified as a harp, this instrument features hooks—small levers along the ...