Queen Mary Harp, Celtic harp at National Museum of Scotland, United Kingdom.
The Queen Mary Harp is a wooden medieval harp housed at the National Museum of Scotland and features a double-headed zoomorphic figure on its forepillar along with traditional Celtic patterns. The instrument was crafted from Scottish wood and represents careful construction typical of historical Scottish musical instruments.
The harp originated in the 15th century and was later presented by Mary, Queen of Scots to a recipient during a hunting expedition. This moment of royal patronage linked the instrument to Scotland's musical and royal traditions.
The harp demonstrates Gaelic craftsmanship through its carved wooden details and decorative patterns on the forepillar. These design choices reflect how Scottish musicians valued both function and artistic expression in their instruments.
The harp can be viewed at the National Museum of Scotland in a specialized display case designed to protect the wooden construction with controlled temperature and humidity. Visitors should know that the instrument is viewable only through the glass case and cannot be touched or played.
Scientific analysis discovered traces of vermilion pigment on the surface, revealing that the harp originally displayed bright red decorative elements that have faded over centuries. This discovery shows the instrument looked far more colorful and elaborate in its original state.
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