Harp by Georges Cousineau and his son Jacques-Georges Cousineau - Paris, 1780–90

Harp by Georges Cousineau and his son Jacques-Georges Cousineau, 34-string, with a corbel decorated with scenes of Oriental life and lacquered in the Chinese style 18th century 160x45x75 cm Fluted column complete with 7 pedals. Missing strings. A French harp with a simple action, crafted by the renowned Parisian workshop of Georges Cousineau and his son Jacques-Georges Cousineau, who were among the leading figures in the technical evolution of the harp during the second half of the 18th century.The action consists of pairs of tangents that, by rotating in opposite directions, shorten the string, raising its pitch by a semitone: a more precise system than earlier hook-based mechanisms and a precursor to the double action perfected by Sébastien Érard.The soundboard is fitted with 34 piruli strings for an equal number of strings that are now missing. Examples from the same workshop are preserved in major public collections and international museums, including the Museum of Musical Instruments, confirming the historical and collectible value of these instruments.