A very nice lever harp/clarsach from Scottish makers Ardival. 34 strings C2-A6, strung with gut, the first 10 strings are wound. This is the ‘Dominie’ model, which seems to be a precursor to their current ‘Wyvis’ model, which currently sells for £4680.
Sycamore frame, soundbox would appear to be lime with a cedar soundboard and oak stringband.
It’s been pointed out to me that it is left-handed relative to a modern harp, although I gather that the traditional clarsach was played on the left shoulder, so perhaps the person who first ordered it was a purist in that respect.
There is a slightly open joint where the arm meets the pillar (see photos) and crack in the soundboard where the pillar joins it. The fact that so much is happening at this point in the soundboard (there is a huge bolt going through it to the bottom of the pillar), it was never going to be a part of the soundboard that did much in the way of vibrating anyway, so I don’t imagine it has affected the sound to any noticeable degree.
Stands 135cm tall.
£1500
