Europe or United States
Unknown

Wood, metal, gilded gold and polychrome
ca. 19th century
Height 34 in; Width: 19 in; Depth: 3 in
Strings – Harps

Engraved in harp:  Illegible

An early harp celeste of the 19^th century.  The word ‘celeste’ is a female given name, originating from the Latin word “caelestis,” meaning heavenly or of the sky.  Associated with celestial bodies and the heavens, it conveys a sense of ethereal beauty and timelessness. This is not to be confused with ‘celesta,’ a keyboard instrument.

Blue and gold leaf vine painting is throughout with a framed painted picture of a girl playing a lyre-harp at the bottom of the front pillar.  The inscription inside is illegible.  There are (28) twenty-eight metal strings, although it had been restrung.  The only other harp celeste that I could fine was in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City that shows the maker as A. Shattinger from St. Louis, Missouri, 1900s.  The harp celeste shown on this website has an opening for the resonator in the back rather than a hole in the front, a framed oil painting, and the pillar is straight with gold painted indent strips.