are considered to have been made in Argyll in South West Scotland sometime in the 14th–15th century. Appearance The harp is of a small low-headed design with brass pins for 29 strings, the longest being c.62 cm. One extra bass pin was added at some point in its playing life. In 1961, the harp was exhibited in London, where it was dismantled, reconstructed by the British Museum into the wider shape it has nowadays, being the playable medieval form, and restrung under the supervision of the British musicologist Joan Rimmer. The earlier heraldic and trade mark designs that were modelled on it were based on a thinner form that was the result of a bad restoration in the 1830s. Visitors are therefore often surprised at how wide the real harp is, compared to the harp on Irish coins. References 14th century in Ireland 14th century in music 15th century in Ireland 15th century in music Composite chordophones Individual harps Irish musical instruments Medieval musical instruments Harp National symbols of Ireland