Guittar (English guitar), cittern. One-piece back of maple. Ribs in one piece. Inked purfling. Barber's pole stringing of inlaid light and dark wood between table and ribs.Varnish of light brown. The table slightly redder. Rose of brass, depicting a two musicians, one playing a transverse flute, with a floral surround. Ornate fretboard veneered with red tortoiseshell, edged with mother of pearl.Three holes in the fretboard for capo tasto which survives. Twleve metal frets (one loose). Built for ten strings, with watchkey tuning. The sickle-shaped head terminates in a flat square finial, with a floral design ornament in relief in black sealing wax. Engraved with the note names on the watchkey tuning plate 'C E G C E G' and 'PRESTON INVENTOR'. Stamped (on the back of the head) 'GR' (monogram) surmounted by a crown 'PRESTON MAKER/LONDON'. Complete (except as below) with watchkey. Lacks four strings and decoration at lower end of fingerboard. Decoration on finial defective. Some splitting in table and back. Otherwise in good condition.
321.322 Necked box lutes or necked guitars (-5)
Collection Information
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