10-course alto lute
Maker
Nico van der Waals
Date1996
Place MadeNederhemert, Gelderland, Netherlands, Europe
SignedWritten in black ink on paper label: Nic. B. van der Waals. / me fecit 2002 / Nederhemert Gld.Written in black ink on reinforcing strip below label: 24-11-99DescriptionThe 10-course lute developed in the early 17th century. This example was made by Nico van der Waals, a Dutch luthier who is one of the most celebrated makers of modern lutes of historical types.
Stringing: 10 courses; 9 double courses and one single top string
Soundboard: two-piece quarter-cut spruce: narrow-to-medium grain; top extends 15 mm onto neck
Bowl: 19 yew staves divided by maple strips
Clasp: yew with three maple strips inlaid near lower edge; small light hardwood strap button
Head: maple veneered with ebony, bound in mammoth ivory, with mammoth ivory plate on end; painted black on inside; one black-painted maple rider on treble side; lowest course goes over nut extension on bass side
Neck: veneered with ebony
Binding: ebony half-binding
Fingerboard: ebony; 8 tied gut frets; four light hardwood frets inlaid into top
Nut: mammoth ivory
Bridge: dark hardwood tie bridge with ebony scroll ends, the top faced in ebony
Pegs: 19 boxwood pegs with integral pins
Rose: geometric, carved from top
Finish: clear varnish on bowl
Bowl lining: light strips of cloth or parchment reinforcing stave joints and running perpendicular to stavesDimensionsTotal 10-course lute length: 675 mm
Length of body, to neck: 360 mm
Top length: 385 mm
Maximum body width: 269 mm
Maximum bowl height: 105 mm
Head length: 226 mm
Head width, top: 25 mm
Head width, bottom: 84 mm
Neck length (nut to ribs): 213 mm
Neck width, nut: 71 mm
Neck width, heel: 88 mm
Soundhole diameter: 73 mm
Vibrating string length (nut to bridge edge): 505 mmProvenancePurchased new by the donor.
Credit LineGift of Donna J. Curry, 2021
Object number15614
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