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Guitar.

Technical description: Soundboard of spruce, bookmatched, of generally fine close grain. Dendrochronological analysis of the soundboard shows that the last dated tree ring on the bass side of the soundboard is 1628, and on the treble side 1630. Bridge of ebony, 95mm long, 18.3mm (maximum) wide. Simple curved mustachios at either end. Inlaid floral vinework of black mastic below the bridge, around the soundhole and where the soundboard wood extends onto the neck. Soundhole 86mm diameter, intricate single tier rose of parchment topped with pearwood. Soundboard edged in fruitwood. Back and sides of yew, cut so that each rib is half light and half dark. Ebony spacers between each of the ribs. Maximum of five ribs at the sides, the one next to the soundboard being wider than the others. Maximum of 17 ribs on the back. The heel and neck have a sharp join, and there is a V-joint between the neck and the head. Core of the head of pine. Top of the head veneered with burr walnut. 10 tuning pegs of rosewood with an ivory dot at the top end of the shaft. Fingerboard of black stained walnut. Nut of ebony. Neck 325mm long. Repair History: The pegs are not original.

  • Date:
    Circa 1640
  • Maker:
    Attributed to Matteo Sellas
  • Collection:
    University of Edinburgh
  • Inventory number:
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  • Place of production:
    Venice/Italy
  • Hornbostel-Sachs classification:321.322-5
  • Culture:
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  • Materials:
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  • Inscriptions:
  • Hornbostel-Sachs category:321.322-5
  • Repository:University of Edinburgh
  • Measurements:974