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1898.78.6.2

Bow for a keyed fiddle. The fiddle associated with this object is catalogued under number 1898.78.6 .1 [RR 17/1/2020]

1898.78.6.2

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Collection type
Object
Description
Bow for a keyed fiddle. The fiddle associated with this object is catalogued under number 1898.78.6 .1 [RR 17/1/2020]
Long description
[.1] Nyckelharpa, also called a gammalharpa or keyed fiddle. The instrument is made of wood and has 22 wooden keys. It is strung with both metal wire and animal gut. A fabric strap is attached to it. The Nyckelharpa comes with a bow [.2] There are signs of use around the neck where it is smoother, indicating where the instrument has been held. [NC 20/08/2015]
Geographical reference
Sweden
Europe > Northern Europe > Sweden
Cultural groups
Swedish
Person
Field collector Henry Balfour
PRM source Henry Balfour
Date / Period
Date made: Before 1898
Date collected
By 1898
Acquisition information
Loaned: 02/1898 Bequeathed: 1939
Materials and processes
Material Wood Plant, Material Animal Horn, Material Metal Wire, Material Metal, Material Horse Hair Animal, Process Carpentered, Process Strung, Process Woven
Dimensions
Width: max 60 mm, Length: max 518 mm
Object numbers
Accession number: 1898.78.6.2
Research and responses

This object was looked at by Per-Ulf Allmo (PhD Stockholm University) and nyckelharpa maker Olle Plahn on 4 September 2015. Per-Ulf enthused that the instrument was very special as it is the oldest style of nyckelharpa. Nyckelharpas have been traced back to as early as 1641. He notes that they are usually made of spruce wood, however this one is not; he wasn't able to identify the type of wood. The first string would have been originally made of silk, and there is a hook attachment to make it easily replaceable if needed. The rest of the strings were usually gut, this particular instrument has gut strings and metal wire. There would originally have been a lid over the strings where the keys are attached. Per-Ulf mentions that nyckelharpas were made by individuals, rather than specialised manufacturers. They were concentrated in Uppland, Sweden, however there are varieties in Lithuania, where many Swedish soldiers were based in the mid 1600s. They were usually played by men, often at weddings and dances. There are some records of women playing the nyckelharpa, however it was less common. [NC 04/09/2015]

Search terms: Music, Musical Instrument, Bowed Lute, Bow