Wall paintings from tomb of Rameses III, XXth dynasty
Modern Harp
These are large arched harps depicted on wall paintings from the tomb of Rameses III, XXth dynasty,
Valley of the Kings, Thebes. The Harp on the left with the red crown is of Lower Egypt. The Harp on the
right with the double crown is of Upper and Lower Egypt. (After Ippolito Rosellini, I Monumenti dell'
Egitto e della Nubia [Pisa, 1832-44], Parte 2 Monumenti civili, t. XCVII)
They were first discovered in 1768 by a Scottish explorer named James Bruce and represent only one type
of Egyptian harp. Other tomb decorations provide samples of Harps of different construction and smaller
size which were played either sitting , standing or kneeling while some were held on the shoulder. Not much
is known about the type of music played on these instruments. Since they lack the pillar of modern Harps
that allow for higher tension on the strings, it has been suggested that the pitch of these instruments were
set low. (source: Harps and Harpists, Roslyn Rensch)
Valley of the Kings, Thebes. The Harp on the left with the red crown is of Lower Egypt. The Harp on the
right with the double crown is of Upper and Lower Egypt. (After Ippolito Rosellini, I Monumenti dell'
Egitto e della Nubia [Pisa, 1832-44], Parte 2 Monumenti civili, t. XCVII)
They were first discovered in 1768 by a Scottish explorer named James Bruce and represent only one type
of Egyptian harp. Other tomb decorations provide samples of Harps of different construction and smaller
size which were played either sitting , standing or kneeling while some were held on the shoulder. Not much
is known about the type of music played on these instruments. Since they lack the pillar of modern Harps
that allow for higher tension on the strings, it has been suggested that the pitch of these instruments were
set low. (source: Harps and Harpists, Roslyn Rensch)
Oriental Institute, University of Chicago
At the left corner is a limestone statuette with a spoon or spade shaped harp and a drum player on the right.
These statuettes are from the Old Kingdom art from the tomb of Nykauinpu from Giza Vth Dynasty, ca.
2477 B.C.
In most Old Kingdom tomb paintings the harp player is shown with other musicians. Often the harpist
faces a seated figure who seems to be employing hand signals (cheironomy) to indicate musical patterns to
the performers. The Old kingdom is considered to be the 'classic' era of Egyptian music. Other instruments
such as the lyre and several types of drums were introduced from Asia. (source: Harps and Harpists, Roslyn
Rensch.
These statuettes are from the Old Kingdom art from the tomb of Nykauinpu from Giza Vth Dynasty, ca.
2477 B.C.
In most Old Kingdom tomb paintings the harp player is shown with other musicians. Often the harpist
faces a seated figure who seems to be employing hand signals (cheironomy) to indicate musical patterns to
the performers. The Old kingdom is considered to be the 'classic' era of Egyptian music. Other instruments
such as the lyre and several types of drums were introduced from Asia. (source: Harps and Harpists, Roslyn
Rensch.
Oriental Institute, University of Chicago
An orchestra ... Three women playing the ladle shaped harp, a lute and tambourine. Wall painting from
Tomb n°100 of Rekhmire, vizir et governor of Thebes in the XVIIIth dynasty.
During the New Kingdom, which began with the XVIIIth dynasty in 1546 B.C., the lute and a greater
variety of harps began to appear on walls of tombs. The ladle shaped harp, with a curved neck and a
hemispherical soundbox supported by a foot (slanting brace) or stand, had from five to eleven strings. The
strings were fastened at the upper end to pegs and at the lower end to a suspension-rod. None of these harps
survived however they are frequently represented in the New Kingdom art. (source: Harps and Harpists,
Roslyn Rensch)
Tomb n°100 of Rekhmire, vizir et governor of Thebes in the XVIIIth dynasty.
During the New Kingdom, which began with the XVIIIth dynasty in 1546 B.C., the lute and a greater
variety of harps began to appear on walls of tombs. The ladle shaped harp, with a curved neck and a
hemispherical soundbox supported by a foot (slanting brace) or stand, had from five to eleven strings. The
strings were fastened at the upper end to pegs and at the lower end to a suspension-rod. None of these harps
survived however they are frequently represented in the New Kingdom art. (source: Harps and Harpists,
Roslyn Rensch)
A banquet ensemble includes musicians playing a large boat-shaped harp, a lute, a dancing girl, double pipes
and a lyre, wall painting from the XVIIIth dynasty tomb at Thebes.
Like the ladle shaped harp the boat shaped harp did not survive, however it is depicted in many New
Kingdom art. A tall harp, played standing had up to eighteen strings (11 in this image) and its soundbox
was covered with decorative material. The portable boat shaped harp, the first known musical instrument
with soundholes was popular for a short period of less than 100 years. Played on the shoulder by both
women and men it had a soft sound. (source: Harps and Harpists, Roslyn Rensch)
and a lyre, wall painting from the XVIIIth dynasty tomb at Thebes.
Like the ladle shaped harp the boat shaped harp did not survive, however it is depicted in many New
Kingdom art. A tall harp, played standing had up to eighteen strings (11 in this image) and its soundbox
was covered with decorative material. The portable boat shaped harp, the first known musical instrument
with soundholes was popular for a short period of less than 100 years. Played on the shoulder by both
women and men it had a soft sound. (source: Harps and Harpists, Roslyn Rensch)
London, British Museum
Wooden statuette of an Egyptian musician with an angular harp, 750-656 B.C.
In about 1500 B.C., the angled harp with the soundbox above rather than below came to Egypt via Asia. It's
construction is different from previous harps, the frame consists of two separate elements: a soundbox and
a straight pole like string arm. (source: Harps and Harpists, Roslyn Rensch)
In about 1500 B.C., the angled harp with the soundbox above rather than below came to Egypt via Asia. It's
construction is different from previous harps, the frame consists of two separate elements: a soundbox and
a straight pole like string arm. (source: Harps and Harpists, Roslyn Rensch)
Lyre, c.2600-2350B.C., from the Royal Cemetery at Ur.
The instrument, a lyre, is rectangular in form and its strings, relatively equal in length, fan out over the
soundbox. Below the bulls head are scenes of myths or legends and it appears to have 11 strings.
(source: Harps and Harpists, Roslyn Rensch)
soundbox. Below the bulls head are scenes of myths or legends and it appears to have 11 strings.
(source: Harps and Harpists, Roslyn Rensch)
Oriental Institute, University of Chicago