Marble seated harp player Cycladic, late Early Cycladic I - Early Cycladic II, ca. 2800-2700 BCE H. with harp 11 1/2 in. (29.21 cm) Rogers Fund, 1947 (Met Museum 47.100.1)

(From the info card) "A male figure playing a stringed instrument sits on a high-backed chair. This work is one of the earliest of the small number of known representations of musicians. It is distinguished by the sensitive modeling of the arms and hands." View showing details of his chair... To compare and contrast, here is a similar harpest at the Getty Museum:

Marble seated harp player Early Cycladic, 2700- 2300 BCE Height - 14 1/8 x Depth 3 3/4 x Width 11 1/16 in. Getty Museum 85.AA.103

(From the info card) "This figure of a seated man playing the harp is one of only a dozen known sculptures of its kind. With its balanced proportions and engaging sense of movement, it is one of the most accomplished..." (From the Museum website) "...this example is by far the largest. This harp player, seated on a four legged stool, is also unusual in that, unlike the others, he does not actually play his harp; he merely holds it, resting its soundbox on his thigh." Although they are ancient, there's a 'modern' sense to them, perhaps it's the abstract element, or that many modern artists were influenced by ancient and tribal art.