Mandolin
Donatus Filano
Category
Musical instruments, devices and recordings
Date
1761
Materials
ebony, ivory, silver, tortoiseshell & mother-of-pearl
Measurements
640 x 190 mm
Place of origin
Naples
Order this imageCollection
Calke Abbey, Derbyshire
NT 290030
Summary
Mandolin, Donatus Filano, Naples, 1761. Labelled inside Donatus Filano fecit Neapoli 1761 - Body of twenty-three fluted ribs of sycamore with intervening stringers of ebony; belly of two pieces of pine, bent inwards at bridge level, edged in ivory with ebony purfling and decorated at its upper and lower ends with formal designs of mother-of-pearl set in composition; tortoiseshell protector plate. The rose of [?] composition-covered wire. Thirteen frets in all, the ten on the neck of [?]German silver, the three on the belly of ebony. Eight rear-mounted ebony tuning pegs. Four survive. The bridge is lost. Four ivory, knob-like string-studs and a turned ivory tail button for a supporting strap. Remnants of three strings survive and the short length of another can be heard to rattle inside the belly. (From Andrew Garrett's description) In leather covered wooden case. A Label nailed to the case is inscribed 'For/Sir Henry Harpur...'
Marks and inscriptions
for/Sir Henry Harpur...
Makers and roles
Donatus Filano, luthier