Lamont Harp, Medieval Celtic harp in National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
The Lamont Harp is a triangular wooden instrument in the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh, strengthened with brass reinforcements and metal fittings. It measures about 95 centimeters in height and 42.5 centimeters in width and displays ornamental details on its metal parts.
This harp entered the Robertson family as a marriage dowry between 1460 and 1464 and remained with them for over 300 years until it was brought to Edinburgh in 1805. It is one of only three surviving medieval Gaelic harps from that era.
This instrument stands as a rare record of musical life among Scottish nobility and shows how central harp playing was to their cultural world. The surviving parts reveal the craftsmanship and taste of those who played it.
You can view the instrument in the museum where it is kept under controlled conditions to protect its fragile wood. Keep in mind that its shape has changed over time due to aging and storage.
The brass reinforcements display decorative animal head patterns, particularly fox designs, and the top mimics ornate gem settings. These details show the wealth and artistic taste of the family that owned it.
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