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Mandolino
Probably by: Leopoldo Franciolini (Italian, 1844–1920)
late 19th century
Object Place: Probably Italy
Medium/Technique
Ebony, spruce, ivory
Dimensions
Length 53.7 cm, width 14.8 cm, depth 8.4 cm (Length 21 1/8 in., width 5 13/16 in., depth 3 5/16 in.)
Credit Line
Leslie Lindsey Mason Collection
Accession Number17.1761
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsEurope, Musical Instruments
ClassificationsMusical instruments – Chordophones
DescriptionBack comprised of eleven ribs of ebony, each separated by strips of ivory, with capping strip. Wide side pieces. One-piece belly of wide-grain softwood. Belly and soundhole edged with triangles of bone and black mastic. Crudely-carved separate rose of wood in foliate pattern, backed by black paper. Neck and pegbox of ebonized wood inlaid with strips of ivory, terminating in square finial with carved grotesque mask of ebonized wood. Back of pegbox inlaid with plaque of ivory engraved with foliate designs. Tuning pegs of ebonized wood with inlaid discs and buttons of ivory. Fingerboard of bone, engraved with village scene. Nut and nine frets of ebony. Bridge of ebonized wood with cap of ivory. 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)