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David playing the Harp: C.2762-1928

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An image of Figure
Current Location: In storage

Titles

David playing the Harp

Maker(s)

Production: Unidentified Delft factory

Entities

Categories

Description

Tin-glazed earthenware painted in manangese-purple

Buff earthenware, moulded, tin-glazed on the visible surfaces, and painted in manganese-purple. The figure is supported by a high, straight-sided rectangular base. David stands with his feet a little apart. He looks downards towards the viewer, and holds his harp on his right with his left hand touching the strings. He has shoulder-length wavy hair and wears a gown and a long coat with a shawl collar. The back of the figure is flat. The details of his face, costume, and harp are outlined and streaked in manganese-purple. The top, back, and one end of the base have a watery marbled appearance, and sloping across the front are the words 'Daar/Ben Ik al' (Here I am).

Notes

History note: Debenham & Freebody, London, where bought for 13s. 6d. on June 12 1896 by Dr J.W.L. Glaisher, FRS, Trinity College, Cambridge

Legal notes

Dr J. W. L. Glaisher Bequest

Measurements and weight

Height: 18.3 cm
Width: 10.5 cm

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Bequeathed (1928-12-07) by Glaisher, J. W. L., Dr

Dating

18th Century, Mid
Circa 1740 CE - 1760 CE

People, subjects and objects depicted

Components of the work

Decoration composed of manganese oxide
Visible Surfaces composed of tin-glaze
Base Depth 5 cm Width 8.5 cm
Figure

Materials used in production

buff Earthenware

Inscription or legends present

  • Text: Daar Ben ik al
  • Location: On front of base
  • Method of creation: Painted in manganese-purple
  • Type: Inscription

Inscription present: rectangular white paper label with a narrow blue border line with a fleur-de-lys in each of the top corners, the writing now illegible

  • Location: On back of figure
  • Method of creation: Hand-wirtten
  • Type: Label

References and bibliographic entries

Identification numbers

Accession number: C.2762-1928
Primary reference Number: 74037
Old object number: 166

Audit data

Created: Saturday 6 August 2011 Updated: Tuesday 30 April 2024

Associated departments & institutions

Owner or interested party: The Fitzwilliam Museum
Associated department: Applied Arts

Citation for print

This record can be cited in the Harvard Bibliographic style using the text below:

The Fitzwilliam Museum (2025) "David playing the Harp" Web page available at: https://data.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/id/object/74037 Accessed: 2025-12-05 12:07:00

Citation for Wikipedia

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{{cite web|url=https://data.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/id/object/74037 |title=David playing the Harp |author=The Fitzwilliam Museum|accessdate=2025-12-05 12:07:00|publisher=The University of Cambridge}}

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