The Bell Harp in Art

The Bell Harp in Art

The bell harp is a swung zither that was used during the eighteenth century.  It is not very well known or understood today, as there is no surviving music, little surviving (and much contradictory) information, and very few surviving instruments. A great place to learn more about the instrument is Stuart Walsh's site, The Bell Harp and the English Harp. 

In the nineteenth century, a number of artists became enamored by the shape of the instrument and used it as a prop in their art works. The playing position shown in the paintings does not match with our historical understanding of how the instrument was used, and artist Edward Burne-Jones was said to have constructed his own (not playable) instrument. 

These images should not be considered an accurate portrayal of the instrument or its method of being played; rather, they are included here as a reference for those who are interested.

Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1828-1882)

Edward Burne-Jones (1833-1898)