Welsh Triple Harp

The antecedent of the Welsh triple harp developed in 16th century Italy. Chromatic harps with 3 rank s of strings were typically larger than 2 rank harps and produced greater volume and sonority of tone. The outer ranks were tuned identically, with the inner rank tuned chromatically. These early triple harps were designed with a flat sound board and ribbed back. The triple harp came into use in the British Isles in the early seventeenth century. Welsh harp makers were considered the finest craftsmen of this form. The Welsh triple harp (telyn deires) is typically tall, allowing up to five octave. The instrument is played against the left shoulder, with the left hand playing treble notes and the right hand playing the bass. In addition to formal compositions, the instrument became popular for traditional ballads, airs and dance tunes. Many of these compositions, as well as the unique techniques of performing on the Welsh triple harp have been preserved into this century.

Description:
The finest extant of this form of an eighteenth century triple harp in the United States. In the very finest state of preservation.

Welsh triple harp, Wales, second quarter of the 18th century, unsigned; the back of the soundbox of 9 tapered staves with painted grain executed alternately in faint and pronounced grain; the polychromed column mortised into the body above the base of semi-triangular form terminating in a fully carved scroll (of a size and shape suitable for a cello); the neck or harmonic curve polychromed with grain painting, floral swags and decorations terminating in a floral banner; the neck terminating in a smaller fully carved scroll above the neck join; the neck bend descending into a fluted (concave and convex) body cap; the table or soundboard entirely polychromed by an expert hand with abundant floral swags and leaves and with four songbirds perched on vines; the soundboard with six pierced circular sound holes of graduated size, each with floral surround; the soundboard pierced for 81 strings arranged in triple form (with additional plugged holes); mounted on a later gilt wood stand on three paw feet, probably of the latter half of the eighteenth century.

New Harps • Rental Harps • Previously Owned Harps • We Buy Harps • Our Customers

Home

© 2002, Harps Unlimited International