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Mandolino Milanese
Alternate name:Milanese mandolin
Repaired by: Giovanni Giannini
Date: 1700-1800 ca. and 1901
Place Made:Italy, Europe
Serial No: none
SignedPrinted on paper label: Francesco Plesberl fecit in Milano anno ala insegna del solo 1680
Written in pencil on underside of top: Giovanni Giannini / Giovanni Giannini / 1901
Written in pencil on underside of top: Giovanni Giannini / Giovanni Giannini / 1901
DescriptionThis mandolin combines an eigtheenth-century ivory bowl with an early twentieth century top. While characteristic of the small, lute-like mandolins used in northern Italy in the eighteenth century, its exact provenance is unknown.
Stringing: five double courses
Soundboard: one-piece quarter-cut spruce: narrow grain; later
Bowl: 14 ivory staves, divided by black-stained pearwood strips; outer two strips covered in tortoiseshell with silver leaf backing
Clasp: three-piece ivory divided by ebony strips
Head: hardwood veneered with ebony and decoratively engraved bone; turned bone pin ornaments set into sides; possibly later
Neck: spruce veneered with strips of bone and black-stained pearwood; possibly later
Binding: ebony; later
Fingerboard: bone engraved with boar-hunting scene filled with black ink with bone and ebony border; later
Nut: bone
Bridge: black-painted maple tie bridge; later
Tuners: 10 ebony friction pegs with bone pins; later, by Andrew Dipper, 1997
Rose: pearwood veneer and parchment; later, by Andrew Dipper, 1997
Rosette: mother-of-pearl inlay set in black mastic, surrounded on each side by bone and black-stained pear purfling
Lacquer: none
Bowl lining: printed paper linings at joints between ribs; added by Andrew Dipper, 1997
Stringing: five double courses
Soundboard: one-piece quarter-cut spruce: narrow grain; later
Bowl: 14 ivory staves, divided by black-stained pearwood strips; outer two strips covered in tortoiseshell with silver leaf backing
Clasp: three-piece ivory divided by ebony strips
Head: hardwood veneered with ebony and decoratively engraved bone; turned bone pin ornaments set into sides; possibly later
Neck: spruce veneered with strips of bone and black-stained pearwood; possibly later
Binding: ebony; later
Fingerboard: bone engraved with boar-hunting scene filled with black ink with bone and ebony border; later
Nut: bone
Bridge: black-painted maple tie bridge; later
Tuners: 10 ebony friction pegs with bone pins; later, by Andrew Dipper, 1997
Rose: pearwood veneer and parchment; later, by Andrew Dipper, 1997
Rosette: mother-of-pearl inlay set in black mastic, surrounded on each side by bone and black-stained pear purfling
Lacquer: none
Bowl lining: printed paper linings at joints between ribs; added by Andrew Dipper, 1997
DimensionsTotal mandolino milanese length: 539 mm
Top length: 265 mm
Maximum body width: 144 mm
Maximum bowl height: 76 mm
Head length: 139 mm
Head width, top: 74 mm
Head width, bottom: 65 mm
Neck length (nut to ribs): 141 mm
Neck width, nut: 43 mm
Neck width, heel: 54 mm
Soundhole diameter: 54 mm
Vibrating string length (nut to bridge edge): 329 mm
Top length: 265 mm
Maximum body width: 144 mm
Maximum bowl height: 76 mm
Head length: 139 mm
Head width, top: 74 mm
Head width, bottom: 65 mm
Neck length (nut to ribs): 141 mm
Neck width, nut: 43 mm
Neck width, heel: 54 mm
Soundhole diameter: 54 mm
Vibrating string length (nut to bridge edge): 329 mm
ProvenanceLaurence Witten acquired from the collection of Lord Astor removed from the music room at Hever Castle; acquired at the sale, Christie’s, 12 Nov. 1963, lot 10.
Purchased by the National Music Museum from Laurence Witten family, New Haven, Connecticut, 1984.
Purchased by the National Music Museum from Laurence Witten family, New Haven, Connecticut, 1984.
Terms
Credit Line: Witten-Rawlins Collection, 1984
Not on view
Published ReferencesAndré P. Larson. Beethoven & Berlioz, Paris & Vienna: Musical Treasures from the Age of Revolution & Romance 1789-1848. With essay by John Koster. Exhibition catalog, Washington Pavilion, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, September 12-November 2, 2003. Vermillion: National Music Museum 2003. Page 69.
Object number: 03435