Orphica

early 19th century

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 681

This portable piano was invented by Carl Leopold Röllig of Vienna around 1795. It is named after Orpheus, the mythical musician who charmed the gods with his lyre. The orphica can be held across the lap or suspended from the neck like a guitar. A neo-classical concept intended to appeal to female amateurs who would appreciate its grace, popular repertoire, and usefulness outdoors, the orphica enjoyed a local vogue that lasted briefly into the 19th century. This example's 4-octave range necessitates diminutive keys. The standard Viennese-type action strikes a single undamped string per note.

Artwork Details

Title: Orphica
Date: early 19th century
Geography: Vienna?, Austria?
Culture: probably Austrian
Medium: Various materials
Dimensions: 5 1/2 × 53 3/4 × 15 in. (14 × 136.5 × 38.1 cm)
Classification: Chordophone-Zither-struck-piano
Credit Line: The Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments, 1889
Object Number: 89.4.1246
Curatorial Department: Musical Instruments

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