A FRENCH ROSEWOOD, SIMULATED ROSEWOOD AND PARCEL-GILT HARP

Sebastian Erard was born in 1752 in Strasburg. In 1768 he moved to Paris where he soon became one of the great instrument makers of his time.At the onset of the French Revolution in 1789 he moved Great Marlborough Street, London. In 1810, he patentened the double-action harp with seven pedals, which forms the basis of modern concert harps. Erard & Co. remained active into the 20th Century.