Live Auction 1186The Collection of Professor Sir Albert Richardson, P.R.A.
A REGENCY IVORY-MOUNTED PARCEL-GILT BLACK PAINTED HARP-LUTE
Lot 120

A REGENCY IVORY-MOUNTED PARCEL-GILT BLACK PAINTED HARP-LUTE

BY EDWARD LIGHT, CIRCA 1800

Closed19 September 2013

Price Realised

GBP 2,000

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A REGENCY IVORY-MOUNTED PARCEL-GILT BLACK PAINTED HARP-LUTE
BY EDWARD LIGHT, CIRCA 1800
With fluted pillar, the front with pierced medallion, the body decorated with musical trophies and Chinoiserie border, the buttons to the reverse with key letters, marked 'Light Toley Place London' and 'Patent No. 81' beneath royal arms, the stand probably later
33½ in. (85 cm.) high; 14 in. (33.5 cm.) wide

Specialist note

The harp-lute was invented by Edward Light (1780-1820) in 1798 and soon became a popular instrument, particularly amongst young ladies of the Regency; the opera singer Catherine (Kitty) Stephens, Countess of Essex (1794-1882) is painted playing just such an instrument by George Henry Harlow (1718-1819) in circa 1820. A similar example by Edward Light is in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum, New York (accession number 50.184.1).