A faithful replica of the lyre of St. Severin, Cologne
Severin
€750
The first of our ancient lyre series: a faithful replica of a real lyre found in an archaeological excavation, believed to date from the 7th–8th century.
- Faithful replica of an excavated 7th–8th century lyre
- 50 cm, six strings
- Natural cow-gut strings; one or two metal bass strings
- Played as chordal accompaniment for song and poetry
All sales are invoiced and prices include VAT; shipping is not included. Harps are delicate instruments — we prefer personal handover where possible. Contact us to discuss delivery options for your location.
About this instrument
Severin, the first of our ancient lyre series, is a faithful replica of a real lyre found in an archaeological excavation: it was discovered in the grave of a bard at the Church of St. Severin in Cologne, a site whose history reaches back to the 4th century. The lyre itself is thought to date from the 7th or 8th century.
Ancient lyres usually had six or seven strings — and unlike the toy-like lyres often pictured today, they were substantial instruments. Severin, the smallest instrument in our ancient series, is 50 cm long and has six strings. The strings are natural cow gut, with one or two metal bass strings depending on the model.
Historically, lyres were played rather like a rhythm guitar: they provided simple chordal accompaniment behind song and spoken poetry.
