Pleyel Cross-strung Harp-Lute

The Pleyel Cross-strung Harp-Lute, crafted in a Gothic style from walnut or mahogany, is a rare and visually striking instrument distinguished by its innovative cross-strung design and ornate craftsmanship. Featuring two intersecting rows of strings that provide all twelve chromatic tones without the need for pedals or levers, it offered a unique alternative to traditional harps. Its artistic details, such as dual thin columns forming an inverted V for balance, an intricately sculpted owl’s head on the shoulder, and a carved figure of a man singing and playing a lute on the capital, highlight its blend of musical function and Gothic artistry. Praised upon its introduction yet produced in very limited numbers, this harp-lute stands today as a museum worthy piece, valued both for its rarity and for its exceptional preservation as a testament to nineteenth-century instrument innovation and design.