Empire Mahogany Glass Harmonica Musical Instrument

An authentic glass harmonica musical instrument was fitted into a mahogany case, it dates from the Empire period about 1830.

Using a series of glass bowls or goblets graduated in size to produce musical tones by means of friction, it is played by rubbing a wet finger on the glass. Ben Franklin developed and played one of these, they are also called glass armonica, bowl organ, hydrocrystalophone, glass harp, Seraphim or simply the armonica.

Documented back to Renaissance times, Galileo mentions the instrument and the composer Gluck played a glass harmonica similar to this in London in the 1740's. An original Franklin "armonica" is displayed at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia. Tchaikovsky, Beethoven and Mozart composed music for the glass harmonica, Marie Antoinette and George Washington are among the players of this historic instrument.

This American example has 9 surviving goblets that appear original, there are 17 holes in the holder. Possibly, wine goblets could be used to replace those that are missing, the stems are cut off to set them into the sockets, and they are tuned by partially filling with water.

The case is matched flame grain mahogany, there are numerous repairs, restoration, and touchups over the years - see photos. A fold-out stand holds music, and the covers flip shut to make a console table.

Measurements of this American antique are 22" deep, 24" wide and 30" tall when closed, it is 48" wide when opened.

Item # B-G651