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Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales
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Pedal harp
Pedal harp, about 1835 - 1840. The harp was once one of a collection owned by Lady Llanover (died 1896).
Dual mechanism pedal harp with 7 chromatic pedals (1 missing) and 1 transposing pedal (missing); on base there is a pair of opposing angels with lyres and griffins on borth corners. There is a tapering pillar base with ocanthus leaves; three angels, surmounted by Grecian frieze of six winged figures interspersed with lyres. All gilded work is overlaid with gold paint. Entire harp carries a mottled, pigmented finish in order to obscure the grain lines. Sound box is made from bird's eye maple and has five apertures to the rear; covers of which are now missing, along with the internal mechanism (which acted as a volume control). There are a pair of strengthening vertical ribs on the rear of the soundboard. The back right lions's paw is missing, replaced with a flat profiled support. The soundboard is decorated with a gilded renaissance shell and leaf design. The pigment completley covers the natural grain of the wood.