1916 Commemoration Harp Brooch
1916 Commemoration Harp Brooch

1916 Commemoration Harp Brooch

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1916 Commemoration Harp Brooch

1916 Commemoration Harp Brooch

Regular price $145.00
Sale price $145.00 Regular price
Unit price
Product description
Shipping & Return
Customer Reviews
Product description

About this Piece

Handmade 925 Solid Sterling Silver 1916 harp brooch with 46cm chain and lobster clasp.

Length 22mm, Width 16mm, Depth 3mm


Originally commissioned for the 1916 GPO Witness History Exhibition.

Ireland is unique in having a musical instrument as its emblem. One of the oldest instruments in traditional Irish music dating back to medieval times. It is a triangular wooden framed wire or gut stringed instrument plucked by the fingers nails.

In the words of Giraldus Cambrensis, the twelfth century Welsh scholar, describing the musicianship of the harper “...the perfection of their art seems to lie in their concealing it, as if it were the better for being hidden.”

History of the 1916 Rising

The Easter Rising was an Irish rebellion against British occupation, fought over six days in April 1916. Members of the Irish Volunteers and the Irish Citizen Army launched a surprise takeover of multiple key locations, mostly in Dublin city, and publicly announced an independent Irish republic. Most famously, they took over the General Post Office (GPO) which has since become an icon of the rebellion. The British response was brutal, using heavy artillery and even a gunship to defeat the besieged rebels, destroying much of the city in the process. Eventually the rebels were forced to surrender. 
Though militarily the uprising was a failure, the severe British response - a city in ruins, hundreds dead, rebel prisoners executed - helped to change the Irish public's mind towards their relationship with Britain, igniting further independence movements - both peaceful and more radical. The 1916 uprising is now (though not without controversy), recognized as a key step towards eventual Irish sovereignty. 

History of the Celtic Harp

The cláirseach, or harp, is the national emblem of Ireland, appearing on flags, passports, and currency. It was an instrument of the elite in Ireland and Scotland, requiring years of practice to master, with strings made of metal that had to be constantly dampened due to their long resonance. Though it may have existed as far back as the 11th Century, its position as a symbol of Ireland and Celtic culture earned it the enmity of the English authorities in the late medieval period, who eventually banned it entirely - only a handful of harps from before this period have survived to this day. However in recent years the harp has had a cultural revival (with new musicians typically favoring small models), both as an instrument and as a symbol of Irish identity. 

Shipping & Return

🇺🇸 To USA: Standard shipping is US$10.95. (Arrives in 9-12 days)
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🇨🇦 To Canada: Standard shipping is $15.95 (Arrives in 9-12 days).
🇮🇪 To Ireland: Standard Shipping is €5.95 (3-5 days).
🇬🇧 To UK: Standard Shipping is €8.95 (9-12 days)
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To rest of Europe: Standard Shipping is €11.95 (9-12 days).
To Australia/NZ: Standard Shipping is $22.95.

Expedited 3-5 day shipping is available also.

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Customer Reviews

Customer Reviews

Based on 29 reviews
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Customer

The daughters going to really love it for Christmas!

G
Gérard ROUZIES
Amazing

Just the perfect gift from Ireland!

G
Gérard ROUZIES
Beautiful

Perfect !!

G
Gérard ROUZIES
Thanks

Beautiful jewel

D
Dara Lehans
Ardboe Cross

I have purchased a good many double sided crosses from you,,as you know.. both in gold and sterling and they all do not disappoint... I love wearing them and it keeps me connected with my faith and Irish roots.. You have always attempted to advise me on which ones would be the good for my " collection" ...Thank you... I consider them "wearable investments" and hope my Grandchildren will love them as well as myself... Cannot wait to select another ....Quality and helft are what made me choode yours.. So many others I have looked at are single sided and light weight.,, I tend to be hard on jewelry so I need sturdy materials..THank you very much ..DO not change your standards Dara Lehans

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