Philadelphia 76ers forward Jaylen Brown has revealed that Jaylen Brown’s most cherished purchase is not a car, a watch or a piece of art, but a golden harp that sits in his Boston apartment. The 18th century instrument, which Brown described as one of the most expensive items in his home, holds a significance that goes well beyond its price tag.
A Harp With a Story
Brown spoke about the harp during an interview with Atlanta rapper Lil Baby last month, calling it his favorite purchase. He later gave a fuller account of the instrument and a tour of his Boston apartment to Architectural Digest in an interview published Monday. As harp music played in the background, Brown explained that the instrument was made in the 18th century but had been reimagined, making it a unique piece within his collection.
The harp is not simply a decorative object. Brown credited his harpist, Li Shan Tan, the principal harp for the New Haven Symphony Orchestra, with helping him connect to the instrument and described her as an amazing therapist. Tan’s role appears to extend beyond performance, shaping how Brown experiences the harp in his daily life.
Personal Moments and Late-Night Sound
Most of the time Brown uses the harp, he told Architectural Digest, it is just him and his chef. He also shared a memory that raced through his mind: himself at the end of his 20s, with a broken harp in his unit, and how central the instrument would become to social hours that stretched from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.
When Tan is not around, Brown sometimes tries to play the harp himself. He said he goes to the instrument from time to time and attempts to recreate some sounds, a small ritual that adds another layer to his attachment.
A Boston Home Built on His Own Vision
The apartment itself carries weight for Brown, who spent a decade in Boston after the Celtics selected him with the No. 3 pick in the 2016 draft. He won a championship with Boston in 2024 before being traded to Philadelphia this offseason for Paul George, two first-round picks in 2028 and 2031, and two second-round selections in 2028 and 2030.
Reflecting on his time in the city, Brown said he grew up there from age 19 to 29 and developed as a young man in Boston. While he has lived in other places, he described the Boston apartment as feeling the most like home because it was crafted by his own vision.
Brown is set to face his former team on Nov. 10 in Philadelphia, a matchup that will bring his Boston chapter full circle. For now, the harp remains a centerpiece of the home he built, a possession that reflects both his personal taste and the life he created in the city.
