George Harrison’s original sitar was just sold at an auction at Nate D. Sanders Auctions in Los Angeles for an impressive $66,993 (£53,520).
Harrison bought the instrument way back in 1965 on London’s Oxford Street, and was used during the recordings of a number of The Beatles’ classics like “Norwegian Wood,” “Within You Without You,” and “Love You To.”
Harrison studied playing the instrument during his visit to India in 1966 under the tutelage of sitar master Ravi Shankar.
As noted elsewhere, the medieval Indian instrument ignited Harrison’s lifelong passion for the country’s music and culture as well as Hindu spirituality, while encouraging the use of sitars among other Western musicians.
The sale of the instrument continues a series of high-priced Beatles memorabilia in recent months, including John Lennon’s copy of the Fab Four’s White Album and the Pattie Boyd letters collection.
