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Guitar (chitarra battente)
mid-18th century
Object Place: Italy
Medium/Technique
Walnut, spruce
Dimensions
Length 79.5 cm, width 22.7 cm, depth 14 cm (Length 31 5/16 in., width 8 15/16 in., depth 5 1/2 in.)
Credit Line
Leslie Lindsey Mason Collection
Accession Number17.1756
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsMusical Instruments
ClassificationsMusical instruments – Chordophones
DescriptionArched back comprised of twelve ribs of walnut, each separated by strips of light wood. Sides similar, comprised of seven ribs. Belly of fine-grain spruce. Soundhole encircled with foliate shapes and dots of pearl set in black mastic. Tiered rose of gilded parchment with red accents. Neck and headstock of walnut painted/stained black. Tuning pegs (unmatched set) of boxwood. Fingerboard and front of headstock veneered with walnut. Nine frets of brass and five of wood. Nut of ivory. Bridge of ebony and ivory. Five pegs of ivory at lower end of body for fastening strings. Ten strings in five pairs.
ProvenanceFrancis W. Galpin (1858-1945), Hatfield Regis, England; 1916, sold by Francis W. Galpin to William Lindsey (1858-1922), Boston, Massachusetts; 1916, gift of William Lindsey, in memory of his daughter, Leslie Lindsey Mason, to the MFA. (Accession Date: October 5, 1916)