Clavi-lyra

Clavi-lyra 1. keyboard instr. invented by Johann Christian Dietz, Sr., of Emmerich and Paris, with mechanically plucked metal strings, intended to imitate guitar tone. A precursor of his clavi-harp; 2. *keyed harp invented by John Bateman of London, who took out a patent on Dec. 9, 1813. The strings were plucked by leather-covered tangents. The following year Bateman published “A Description of the Clavi-lyra …” See also: clavi-arpa, clavi-harp, keyed harp (115, 176). Sort…