This is an extraordinarily rare harp-piano by Dietz, Austria or Germany, ca 1840.
I’ve seen many pianos. But I am yet to touch a real harp.
If this hybrid is played like an ordinary piano, where the hammers hit the strings, it should sound like a piano, less like a harp because harp’s strings are plucked.
Source:
Piano crossed with a harp – Boing Boing
Rare harp-piano by Dietz, Austria or Germany, ca. 1840.
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4 Comments
CLF
January 5, 2009Looks kinda cacat…. as if a failed biology test subject.
or maybe it can produce both the sound of piano and harp as well?
KCLau
January 8, 2009@CLF
yeah .. it is really odd! I guess that’s why it is not popular
d w
February 3, 2011This is definitely what is know as a harp piano. It was patented by the Dietz. There are several others dotted around in museums here and there. This particular instrument is from the Period Piano Company. http://www.periodpiano.com If you want more information, contact them.
Christine
December 22, 2011We have a 1819 Harp Piano built by a Spanish Company in Madrid. We are searching for other harp pianos within the United States. If anyone knows of their location it would be appreciated if you could pass the info on to us. Sagtikos Manor is an historic site located in Bay Shore, NY.
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