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| Muse Playing the Harp -by Antoine Auguste Ernest Herbert found here |
When I was younger, I thought them the most magical of instruments and I desperately wanted to play one. I was going through a phase where I was rather obsessed by anything Celtic...well, maybe that hasn't changed really, ha!...and I loved the idea of the roaming storytelling harper, someone who with their music could touch the otherworlds...Anyway, luckily I got my wish. One day my parents surprised me with a visit from a harpmaker named Geoff Welham, who had brought along with him two beautiful harps for me to choose from.
Here's me with them- the one I chose is the one I'm holding, my little darling who I'll always treasure... I think it might actually the first one he ever made as well, which to me is a nice thought...
Unfortunely I havent played very much in the past few years, art kind of took over and I'm now out of the habit. But it's something that I miss very much, so I know I'll start again, and teach my poor confused fingers how to play again! After all, I can't really keep using a name like 'wayward harper' if I don't actually play the harp now can I? hehe!
So, it's this project below that has lead to my recent re-awakening in my interest in harping -
This is "The Journeywoman Harp". A recent colaboration between myself and Harps Australia.
And hopefully the start of something new as I'd love to continue with commissions of this sort.
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| In the shop window at Limerence Boutique |
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| design on the back of the sound box |
What I find incrediably fascinating is that the harp exists in many different forms in many cultures across the world. And being one of the oldest types of instrument it's not surprising that it's perceived as such a mythical and magical instrument.
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| Trinity College Harp |
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| Queen Mary Harp |
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| The Witcher Trinity Harp |
I adore the colours of this harp!
The Witcher Trinity Harp
The harp itself plus its carving, silver and jewel ornamentation by Jay Witcher, 2000
Pyroengraving and color by Charlotte Hallett, 2000
Pyroengraving and color on carved maple wood harp
with silver and jewel incrusted ornamentation
A reproduction of the decorated Trinity harp,
also known as the Brian Boru harp, which is on display in the library
at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland
in the same room as the Book of Kells
The harp itself plus its carving, silver and jewel ornamentation by Jay Witcher, 2000
Pyroengraving and color by Charlotte Hallett, 2000
Pyroengraving and color on carved maple wood harp
with silver and jewel incrusted ornamentation
A reproduction of the decorated Trinity harp,
also known as the Brian Boru harp, which is on display in the library
at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland
in the same room as the Book of Kells
This information from an article about pyrography found here
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| A burmese harp - I have a tiny model of one of these! |
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| "A Burmese Harper" - amazing photo re-blogged from here |
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| Russian Hand Painted Lacquer Lap Harp/ Zither found here |
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Egyptian tomb painting Egyptian harp - New Kingdom, late Dynasty 18, ca. 1390–1295 B.C. |
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| I adore this Elfin harp! from Caswell Harps |
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| Beautiful medieval harp from Alfaric Harps |
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| Wow! image re-blogged from here Harp (cláirseach) 1734, John Kelly, Irish, active 1726–1736 |
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| I adore this image, not sure where it's from but it's been floating around on my computer for years :) |
Ahhh, me too, the idea of travelling from town to town, telling tales and singing songs in exchange for bed and board for the night. When I was a teenager, I saw a young backpacker busking in the street, she had the smallest harp I'd ever seen, I think it was called a troubador's harp. I wanted to do that too. I'm guessing you're a fan of Robin Williamson then? I saw him live in London years ago, it was a performance I'll never forget. Perhaps one day I'll give the harp a go, but for now, the guitar is keeping me happy!
ReplyDeleteI love the painting you did on the harp, it can only inspire beautiful music!
ReplyDeleteI also once had a small harp, but music has never come naturally to me. I would imagine that since you once played it will come back to you.
thank you for also sharing all the other beautiful harps, gorgeous they are.
The harp you painted is beautiful!! And I've been wanting a harp for years, I think I'm getting closer, thanks for the re-inspiration!
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