It has centuries-old origins, reportedly depicted in church art in the 1460s. Bellman includes it in his depictions of Stockholm's pub scenes during the 1700s. Therefore, it seems to appear in quite disparate environments, from palaces to humble abodes. In the dissertation "Framlades then stora Nycklegijga," Per-Ulf Allmo traces the instrument to Uppland. Today, there are apparently Belgian musicians playing jazz on the nyckelharpa. Perhaps they should turn their attention to Auktionshuset Kolonn, which dedicates a theme to nine nyckelharpas created by instrument maker Rune Mattsson around the turn of the millennium. Here, you get design, craftsmanship, and music all in one.
