BY COUSTINEAU PERE ET FILS, CIRCA 1780

This charming harp, elaborately decorated with painted floral wreaths, gilt landscapes and Chinoiserie figures, was made by the harp-maker Georges Cousineau (1733-1800) and his son Jacques Georges, who partnered in 1775. Their harps were often elaborate works of art embracing the varied popular decorative schemes of the day, but the duo also pursued numerous technical advancements for the instrument, some of which are still in use today. A related harp is in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum, museum number 8531-1863, while a later example belonging to Empress Josephine is conserved in the Château de Malmaison.