Harp-lute

This hybrid instrument was one of Edward Light's early 19th century developments, combining elements of the then highly popular harp and English guitar (guittar), and intended as a new "improved" parlor instrument. Technically, it is a plucked stringed instrument in the shape of a combined lute-harp, with vaulted-back, pear-shaped soundbox and harp-like column and neck. The back is made of seven ribs and there are two soundholes on the central rib, and the soundboard has an inset rose. The neck has a raised fingerboard with ivory/bone frets, and there are nineteen gut strings (one broken), of which ten are stopped by spring-loaded brass push studs. Square-shaped brass tuning pins. The bridge has an ivory/bone saddle and ebony pins. The pedestal base is missing/broken.