Archlute.

Technical description: A fake instrument which may have been made around an original lute back. The instrument could never have functioned musically, nor was it intended to. Thick coats of gesso and paint obscure all of the woods. The soundboard is approximately 6mm thick. The bridge is 220mm long and 25mm wide, designed so that all of the strings pass through evenly spaced holes. The rose hole is 98mm diameter, with a crudely cut geometric rose applied inside. There appear to be 19 ribs, covered inside by paper. There is no end capping piece. The bass neck is a direct extension of the fretted neck. The fretted neck is 280mm long, 72mm wide at the nut and 84mm wide at the body join. The nut is probably of ivory and is raised so that the strings would be about 8mm from the soundboard. There are 8 pegs remaining, the paint having clamped them in place. The bass-string's nut sits on a extension, and is of ivory. It is possible that the instrument could have been played using only the open strings only in harp fashion, but held like an archlute. Repair History: Gesso may have been a later addition when the instrument became unplayable through wear.