Harp Guitar

ca. 1915

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 684

This unusual looking instrument was named by its maker the chitarra lyra a due bracci (double-armed lyre-guitar). It was based on the design of guitars built in the 1840s by Friedrich Schenk of Vienna. The unusual "arms" (so-called by Mozzani) join at the top around the headstock. The entire body, including the arms, are hollow.The neck is free from the body and held in place by six metal bolts (three at the heel and three at the headstock). The bolts can be reached, and adjusted, through holes in the back of the instrument. This mechanism was patented by Mozzani in 1912.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

References

Title: Harp Guitar
Maker: Luigi Mozzani (Italian, Faenza 1869–1943 Rovereto)
Date: ca. 1915
Geography: Cento, Italy
Culture: Italian
Medium: Maple, spruce, ebony, metal
Dimensions: 33 × 17 1/2 × 2 5/8 in. (83.8 × 44.4 × 6.7 cm)
Classification: Chordophone-Lute-plucked-fretted
Credit Line: Purchase, The Jonathan & Faye Kellerman Foundation Gift, 2008
Object Number: 2008.356a, b
Curatorial Department: Musical Instruments

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