Cittern
John Preston
Category
Musical instruments, devices and recordings
Date
circa 1785
Materials
Wood, Tortoiseshell, Ebony, Ivory, Metal
Measurements
300 mm (Width); 700 mm (Length)
Place of origin
London
Order this imageCollection
Snowshill Manor and Garden, Gloucestershire
NT 1335351
Summary
English guitar, Preston, London, c.1785. Marked 'Preston, Maker, London' on belly and back of neck. 10 strings. Tortoiseshell finger board, bordered in ivory and ebony. Gilt rose, watch key tuning. Marked 'Preston, Inventor' and letters of notes on tuning plate. Has capo tasto. Curved, wooden ‘hook’ on end of neck. Ivory string holders and a foot on end of body.
Provenance
Given to the National Trust with Snowshill Manor in 1951 by Charles Paget Wade.
Marks and inscriptions
Preston/Maker/London/Preston/Inventor
Makers and roles
John Preston, maker