Weisman was born in South Africa but became interested in early instrument construction in Israel. Eventually enrolling in an early instrument construction program in England, he became a central part of the then-blossoming European early music revival.
At this time Weisman completed the only accurate replica of a Spanish vihuela dating from c. 1500. The project was a graduating qualification in the tradition of the Spanish luthiers, who after many years of apprenticeship had to prove candidacy to the luthier’s guild by creating a “a large instrument made of very many pieces with a unique design”. The vihuela is stunning, covered with complex geometrical marquetry in ivory, ebony, and other woods. The attention to detail and craftsmanship Weisman demonstrates in this instrument continues to be evident in his harps.
Weisman founded “Harps of Lorien” in New Mexico in the mid-seventies as a “co-operative business with a mission to provide quality hand-crafted instruments for healing.” Each harp is subjected to a process of blessing and praying during the sanding and finishing. (...)
http://raphaelweisman.wordpress.com/articles/legacy/