Guitar
Date1870 ca.
Place MadeMirecourt, France, Europe
Serial No.none
SignedEngraved at end of fingerboard: GRAVER PAR MOUGENOTMarkingsPencil line down center line on inside of back
DescriptionStringing: six gut strings
Soundboard: two-piece spruce, fine grain
Back: one-piece maple veneered with rosewood
Ribs: two-piece rosewood, divided by ebony end graft strip (slightly wider toward top than bottom)
Head: slotted, veneered with engraved mother-of-pearl, the grape-vine, floral, and kithara designs filled with black and tan ink
Neck: maple veneered with ebony; tapered heel
Heel cap: ivory
Binding: ivory; trim on top comprises of foliate engraved mother-of-pearl trim, the designs filled in black ink and gold leaf, surrounded on each side by small alternating squares of ebony and mother-of-pearl enclosed in ebony strips; trim on back and ribs comprised of mother-of-pearl and ebony chevron design with central ivory strip, surrounded on each side by brown-stained hardwood
Fingerboard: ebony inlaid with large, engraved mother-of-pearl, the designs filled with black and tan ink (see detailed descriptions by Lee Raine Randall under “Additional Comments”; 17 nickel-silver frets
Nut: mother-of-pearl
Bridge: ebony moustache shape with squared lower outline, the ends terminating in domed ebony circles with mother-of-pearl eyes; three engraved mother-of-pearl panels inlaid below pins, the designs filled in black ink ebony pins with mother-of-pearl eyes; nickel-silver saddle; ebony pins with mother-of-pearl eyes
Tuners: two sets of decoratively stamped nickel-silver and steel worm-gear machine tuners with ivory rollers and ivory heads with decoratively cut outlines; crown maker’s mark stamped over upper screws
Endpin: ebony
Rosette: foliate engraved mother-of-pearl trim, the designs filled in black ink, surrounded on each side by small alternating squares of ebony and mother-of-pearl enclosed in ebony strips
Finish: clear
Linings: spruce; wide
Neck block: spruce; tapered shape; flat-headed steel screw through block into neck heel
End block: spruce; tapered shape
Top braces: five tapered spruce ladder braces, two at upper bouts, one at center, and two at lower; no bridge plate originally; bridge pins extend through top between the two lower bout braces
Back braces: three spruce back braces, tapered and set into linings
DimensionsTotal guitar length: 921 mm
Back length: 442 mm
Upper bout width: 237 mm
Waist width: 171 mm
Lower bout width: 302 mm
Rib height (including edging) at heel: 74 mm
Rib height, at waist: 83 mm
Rib height, at end block: 82 mm
Head length: 184 mm
Head width, top: 70 mm
Head width, bottom: 57 mm
Neck length (nut to ribs): 305 mm
Neck width, nut: 46 mm
Neck width, heel: 60 mm
Soundhole diameter: 76 mm
Vibrating string length (nut to bridge edge): 616 mm
Credit LineBoard of Trustees, 2001
Object number10047
On View
Not on view
1840-1900 ca.
