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This image shows a group of ancient egyptian street musicians. (1) Woman with a tall light harp with fourteen strings. (2) Cithara. (3) Te-bouni, or banjo. (4) Double flute. (5) Shoulder Harp. (6) Singer, clapping hands.

Ancient Egyptian Music

This image shows a group of ancient egyptian street musicians. (1) Woman with a tall light harp with…

Ancient harp.

Ancient harp

Ancient harp.

In Norse mythology, Aslog, daughter of Siegfried and Brunhild, becomes an orphan and is adopted by an old harp player, Heimir. Concerned about her safety, Heimir hides Aslog in his harp.

Aslog and Heimir

In Norse mythology, Aslog, daughter of Siegfried and Brunhild, becomes an orphan and is adopted by an…

Ancient forms of the harp, drum, flute, and castanets.

Assorted Musical Instruments

Ancient forms of the harp, drum, flute, and castanets.

The Assyrians held music in honor, and empoyed it for liturgical purposes, as well as those of social and private life. Among the discoveries at Nineveh and Babylon are many of a musical character. Strong bearded men are playing upon harps which are of a triangular form, but of a different structure from most.

Assyrian Music

The Assyrians held music in honor, and empoyed it for liturgical purposes, as well as those of social…

"That the Egyptians paid great attention to the study of music and had arrived at a very accurate knowledge of the art, is evident from the instruments which they used." — Goodrich, 1844

Egyptian Band

"That the Egyptians paid great attention to the study of music and had arrived at a very accurate knowledge…

An illustration of fourteenth century architecture, dress, and musical instruments at Nursted Court, Kent. The nobles and the rich ore on the left talking, while the musicians and the juggler on the right are entertaining the nobles. The musicians are playing kettle drum, shawm, Portative (hand organ), vielle, and a harp.

Musician and Nobles in Nursted Court

An illustration of fourteenth century architecture, dress, and musical instruments at Nursted Court,…

A group of musicians playing at Nursted Court entertaining the nobles. The musicians, from left to right, are playing a shawm, Portative (hand organ), vielle, and harp.

Musicians at Nursted Court

A group of musicians playing at Nursted Court entertaining the nobles. The musicians, from left to right,…

"Very old form of Egyptian Harp, resembling our modern violin." — Cooke, 1910

Egyptian Harp

"Very old form of Egyptian Harp, resembling our modern violin." — Cooke, 1910

This illustration shows harps, pipe, and flute, from an ancient tomb near the Pyramids.

Egyptian Music

This illustration shows harps, pipe, and flute, from an ancient tomb near the Pyramids.

A decorative divider with Greek statues, musical instruments, and flowers.

Greek Divider

A decorative divider with Greek statues, musical instruments, and flowers.

The guitarpa is a combination of a harp, guitar, and violin.

Guitarpa

The guitarpa is a combination of a harp, guitar, and violin.

The Happiness of the Godly, from Hans Holbein's series of engravings known as his Bible Cuts.

The Happiness of the Godly

The Happiness of the Godly, from Hans Holbein's series of engravings known as his Bible Cuts.

Harmonius in "The Minstrel's Song"

Harmonius

Harmonius in "The Minstrel's Song"

An instrument having an upright triangular frame consisting of a pillar, a curved neck, and a hollow back containing the sounding board, with usually 46 or 47 strings of graded lengths that are played by plucking with the fingers.

Harp

An instrument having an upright triangular frame consisting of a pillar, a curved neck, and a hollow…

A stringed musical instrument usually played with the fingers.

Harp

A stringed musical instrument usually played with the fingers.

This illustration shows a harp from the XXth dynasty, about 1300 B.C., it had 21 strings, and was elaborately colored and ornamented with gold and carvings.

Harp

This illustration shows a harp from the XXth dynasty, about 1300 B.C., it had 21 strings, and was elaborately…

This image shows harps used by minstrel's in the thirteenth century.

Harp

This image shows harps used by minstrel's in the thirteenth century.

A musical stringed instrument, much esteemed by the ancients. In Egypt the figure of the harp is found delineated from the earliest ages in many different forms, some of them very simple, and others with great taste and ornament; some played on while standing, others while kneeling. The Celtic bards held the harp in the greatest honor.

Harp

A musical stringed instrument, much esteemed by the ancients. In Egypt the figure of the harp is found…

"This primitive-looking instrument was played horizontally, being born upon the performer's shoulder. between it and the grand vertical harps in the frescos of the time of Rameses III, More than 3000 years old, paintings discovered by the Laveller Bruce, there are varieties that permit us to bind the whole, from the simplest bow-form to the almost triangular harp, in to one family." — Encyclopediia Britannica, 1893

Harp

"This primitive-looking instrument was played horizontally, being born upon the performer's shoulder.…

"This primitive-looking instrument was played horizontally, being born upon the performer's shoulder. between it and the grand vertical harps in the frescos of the time of Rameses III, More than 3000 years old, paintings discovered by the Laveller Bruce, there are varieties that permit us to bind the whole, from the simplest bow-form to the almost triangular harp, in to one family." — Encyclopediia Britannica, 1893

Harp

"This primitive-looking instrument was played horizontally, being born upon the performer's shoulder.…

"Irish (Dalway) Harp." — Encyclopediia Britannica, 1893

Harp

"Irish (Dalway) Harp." — Encyclopediia Britannica, 1893

"Welsh Triple Harp." — Encyclopediia Britannica, 1893

Harp

"Welsh Triple Harp." — Encyclopediia Britannica, 1893

"Modern Erard Harp." — Encyclopediia Britannica, 1893

Harp

"Modern Erard Harp." — Encyclopediia Britannica, 1893

An ancient harp.

Harp

An ancient harp.

An illustration of a harp and ribbon doodad.

Harp and Ribbon Doodad

An illustration of a harp and ribbon doodad.

An Anglo-Saxon harp.

Harp, Anglo-Saxon

An Anglo-Saxon harp.

An Assyrian Harp.

Harp, Assyrian

An Assyrian Harp.

Egyptian harps.

Harp, Egyptian

Egyptian harps.

"That the Egyptians paid great attention to the study of music and had arrived at a very accurate knowledge of the art, is evident from the instruments which they used." — Goodrich, 1844

Egyptian harp

"That the Egyptians paid great attention to the study of music and had arrived at a very accurate knowledge…

An illustration of Marloye's harp, used to show longitudinal vibrations in rods. It is made up a number of steel rods lined up vertically on an oblique-shaped board.

Marloye's Harp

An illustration of Marloye's harp, used to show longitudinal vibrations in rods. It is made up a number…

"Abundant on the shores of Mauritius and of the neighboring islands. For this and analogous species, there are fisheries in those regions, the animals being caught at night or near-rise, by nets attached to rakes." — Goodrich, 1859

Harp-shell

"Abundant on the shores of Mauritius and of the neighboring islands. For this and analogous species,…

A player of the harp.

Harpist

A player of the harp.

This illustration depicts an ancient harpist.

Harpist

This illustration depicts an ancient harpist.

A harp is a stringed instrument of triangular form. The sculptures and ruins of the Egyptians and Syrians give evidence that it was a favorite instrument among them.

Ancient Egyptian Harps

A harp is a stringed instrument of triangular form. The sculptures and ruins of the Egyptians and Syrians…

An illustration of a decorative letter I with an angel playing the harp.

Decorative Letter I with Angel Playing Harp

An illustration of a decorative letter I with an angel playing the harp.

"So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of Jehovah with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet." 2 Samuel 6:15 ASV <p>Illustration of King David marching before the ark, playing his harp. The priests and people march behind him, carrying the ark and playing trumpets and tambourines. A young boy marches and plays a triangle.

King David Takes the Ark of the Covenant to Mount Zion

"So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of Jehovah with shouting, and with the sound…

Kinnor is the Hebrew name for an ancient stringed instrument, the first mentioned in the Bible where it is now always translated harp. The kinnor had from ten to twenty string fastened to a metal rod lying along the face of the sounding board.

Kinnor

Kinnor is the Hebrew name for an ancient stringed instrument, the first mentioned in the Bible where…

Kinnor is the Hebrew name for an ancient stringed instrument, the first mentioned in the Bible where it is now always translated harp. The kinnor had from ten to twenty string fastened to a metal rod lying along the face of the sounding board.

Kinnor

Kinnor is the Hebrew name for an ancient stringed instrument, the first mentioned in the Bible where…

A kinnor, or old-fashioned harp.

Kinnor

A kinnor, or old-fashioned harp.

A kind of harp much used by the ancients.

Lyre

A kind of harp much used by the ancients.

A lyre

Lyre

A lyre

A man and woman sitting together. The man is playing the harp and perhaps singing.

Man Playing a Harp for a Woman

A man and woman sitting together. The man is playing the harp and perhaps singing.

This modern Doric pilaster capital is found in the new Opera House in Paris, France. It has an egg-and-dart design on the top with a harp in the center.

Modern Doric Pilaster Capital

This modern Doric pilaster capital is found in the new Opera House in Paris, France. It has an egg-and-dart…

"A harp, was of oriental origin. The performances of sambucistriae were only known to the early Romans as luxuries brought over from Asia." &mdash; Smith, 1873

Sambuca

"A harp, was of oriental origin. The performances of sambucistriae were only known to the early Romans…

"And an evil spirit from Jehovah was upon Saul, as he sat in his house with his spear in his hand; and David was playing with his hand. And Saul sought to smite David even to the wall with the spear; but he slipped away out of Saul's presence, and he smote the spear into the wall: and David fled, and escaped that night." I Samuel 19:9-10 ASV <p>Illustration of Saul, javelin raised and pointed at David, in a rage as David plays his harp. David's left hand is raised to shield himself. An adviser sits to the right of Saul. A young boy, perhaps Jonathan, stands against a column to Saul's left. A dog stands at the boy's feet. The room has arched windows that open up on to the town.

Saul Tries to Kill David with His Javelin

"And an evil spirit from Jehovah was upon Saul, as he sat in his house with his spear in his hand; and…

A psaltry, a stringed instrument belonging to the harp family. Originated in Greece.

The psaltry

A psaltry, a stringed instrument belonging to the harp family. Originated in Greece.

A psaltry, a name given to several large harp-like instruments.

The psaltry

A psaltry, a name given to several large harp-like instruments.

A young boy wearing a short tunic and holding a small harp is overarched by two angels.

Young Boy with Harp

A young boy wearing a short tunic and holding a small harp is overarched by two angels.