Old Zither Appraisal

Vintage Autoharp

This is a vintage autoharp, a type of chorded zither, characterized by its approximately rectangular body with one corner angled. The instrument features a dark, likely black-painted, wooden frame that is visibly worn with scuffs, scratches, and a layer of dust and grime accumulated over time, suggesting significant age and prolonged storage. The strings, of which there are numerous running lengthwise across the soundboard, appear to be a mix of plain and wound varieties, showing signs of oxidation and some discoloration. Many strings are present, but their tension and integrity are not fully ascertainable from the image, though some appear slack or broken. A key feature is the chord bar mechanism located on the right side of the soundboard. It consists of three horizontal bars, each with white-labeled 'mutes' or 'dampers' indicating chords such as 'C major' (although partially obscured, clearly starts with 'C M', likely C major), 'G7' (partially obscured, but 'G7' is discernible), and another, heavily worn and illegible. These bars are operated by circular, likely black plastic or wooden, buttons. Below the chord bars, a printed or stenciled paper or thin wood strip with musical notation, numbers (1-7), and letters (a-g) is present, acting as a guide for playing. This strip is discolored, faded, and shows signs of wear, particularly at the bottom left where a small piece appears torn or detached. The tuning pins, visible along the top angled edge, are rusty, indicating the instrument has been exposed to moisture or humidity. The overall condition suggests that this autoharp is in unrestored, 'as found' condition, likely from the mid-20th century or earlier, requiring significant cleaning, restringing, and potential repair to be playable. The craftsmanship, though showing age, points to a period of mass production for home musical entertainment.