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Foreign harps

The Hofburg harp

harp
Not to scale

Also known as the Vienna harp

Dating from perhaps the 16th century

Kept at the Hofburg Museum, Vienna.

"Gothic" design;
approx. 29 strings

This instrument has buzzing bray pins on each of its strings to make a nasal, growling tone. It has a slightly more baroque shape than other gothic harps.

Photo at acoustics.org

German harpmaker Claus Hüttel offers a replica of this instrument.

Simon Chadwick