A wonderfully decorative antique Lohengrin harp, also known as an autoharp or chord zither, dating from approximately the first half of the 20th century.

The instrument has a shaped black-painted wooden body decorated with fine cream pinstriping and the name “Lohengrin” prominently painted across the soundboard in flowing script. It is fitted with twelve chord bars operated by white numbered buttons, together with its original printed chord labels and musical note guide.

These ingenious instruments were designed to make chord accompaniment relatively accessible, with each bar damping selected strings while the remaining notes were strummed. Lohengrin examples are generally described as German autoharps or accord zithers.

A particularly striking piece with considerable visual presence, ideal for a collector of unusual musical instruments or for display in a music room, studio, restaurant or eclectic interior.

It measures approximately 51 × 29 cm, or 20.1 × 11.4 inches.

The harp is in good decorative antique condition with surface marks, scratches, rubbing and small areas of wear around the edges of the painted wooden body. The metal strings show age-related tarnishing and the original paper labels have some discolouration and wear. Good playable condition.