'CarvedStrings' is the US trading name of instrument builder, designer and wood-carver Alice Margerum. Alice handcrafts carefully-researched reconstructions of medieval and renaissance instruments. Her instruments have included harps (wire-strung, gut-strung and bray harps), lyres (bowed and plucked), rebecs, citoles, medieval fiddles, lutes, and even a clavicytherium. Her work ranges from unadorned to elaborately carved. In addition to her own reconstructions, Alice has also built instruments and provided custom carving and decorative painting for other noted luthiers.

For almost 20 years, Alice researched and built early musical instruments in Britain. She studied Musical Instrument Technology in London and earned a BTEC OND and HND, as well as a BSc (Hons), an MA, and a PhD. Her PhD thesis is available from the British Library online thesis service. The institution at which Alice studied has changed name several times (CityPoly, London Guildhall University, it is currently London Metropolitan University) but it is best known by its original name: the London College of Furniture. Since Alice also trained with the harp-maker Tim Hobrough, who is now retired, CarvedStrings also carries a few instruments designed by Tim. Almost all of the instruments offered here, however, are made by Alice.

Alice is now living in the US full-time but will occasionally leave a few instruments for sale with her UK agent. Please contact us for more information.