A single action Grecian harp number 126 by Schwieso & Grosjean C. 1822
It was in a very sorry state and has been completely refurbished and refinished along with a new solid spruce front. Most of the composition ornaments have been replaced.
The mechanics have been cleaned, reassembled and oiled.
It is now strung to concert pitch with a new set of Bow Brand low tension gut strings and silver wire wound on silk for the bass strings.
Schwieso and Grosjean formed a partnership in 1819 at 11 Soho Square with workshops at 95 Wardour Street. The partnership was dissolved in 1825 so the harp was made between those dates and based on the early serial number of 126 and other instruments, it would indicate a build date of around 1822.
John Charles Schwieso (c1784-1846) arrived in Britain from Germany in 1808 and was working for Erard in 1815 before leaving and setting up his own business.
John Frederick Grosjean was born in Dorset in 1779, a later advertisement reveals his family were of Swiss origin. He died in October 1845 and was buried on 4 November at Highgate Cemetery
Fuller biographies of both makers can be found in Mike Baldwin, Harp Making in Late-Georgian London (London: Bright Light, 2020).
