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Bisernica
Alternate name:Tamburica
Alternate name:Tamburitza
Date: 1920-1930 ca.
Place Made:United States, North America
Model: none
Serial No: none
Signednone
Markingsnone
DescriptionMaker: Probably one of the 4 American firms at that time: Doboanic & Vardian in Cleveland, Ohio; Mahronic in Allegheny, Pennsylvania; Ivan Hlad in Chicago; or Ivan Bencic in Cleveland, Ohio.
The smallest size, called Bisernica, of those instruments used in the Tamburitza
Orchestra. Although W.W. Kolar (1973, p. 3) mentioned that the tendency to use the guitar shape has come forth only recently, the present instrument must have been built at least some time before 1936. The stringing follows the system of M. Farkaš’s instruction book (1888) according to which the double strings are to be tuned d1d1 d1d1. 5 common metal frets and 9 more frets for the left and 12 frets for the right string chord follow different tone systems.
Carved maple body and sides
One-piece spruce top decorated with double purflings
Maple neck and peghead
The smallest size, called Bisernica, of those instruments used in the Tamburitza
Orchestra. Although W.W. Kolar (1973, p. 3) mentioned that the tendency to use the guitar shape has come forth only recently, the present instrument must have been built at least some time before 1936. The stringing follows the system of M. Farkaš’s instruction book (1888) according to which the double strings are to be tuned d1d1 d1d1. 5 common metal frets and 9 more frets for the left and 12 frets for the right string chord follow different tone systems.
Carved maple body and sides
One-piece spruce top decorated with double purflings
Maple neck and peghead
DimensionsOverall length: 545 mm
Body length outside: 180 mm
Width at top: 111/108 mm
Width at middle: 85/81 mm
Width at bottom: 151/148 mm
Ribs (neck-below): 35-41 mm
Sound hole from below: 108 mm
Vibrating melody string length: 345 mm
Neck length: 229 mm
Body length outside: 180 mm
Width at top: 111/108 mm
Width at middle: 85/81 mm
Width at bottom: 151/148 mm
Ribs (neck-below): 35-41 mm
Sound hole from below: 108 mm
Vibrating melody string length: 345 mm
Neck length: 229 mm
ProvenanceArne B. Larson Collection, Vermillion, South Dakota, 1979.
Terms
Credit Line: Arne B. Larson Collection, 1979
Not on view
Published ReferencesW. W. Kohlar, A History of the Tambura, Vol. I, Pittsburgh, 1973.
Object number: 00052