Artwork Page for Lute or Tiorbino

Details / Information for Lute or Tiorbino

Lute or Tiorbino

c. 1620

Italy, probably made in the mid-17th century, but modified by later repair

Medium
wood
Measurements
Overall: 100.7 x 27.7 cm (39 5/8 x 10 7/8 in.)
Credit Line
The Charles G. King Jr. collection; Gift of Ralph King in memory of Charles G. King Jr. 1918.368
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
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Description

The lute was the most important musical instrument in secular settings throughout the 16th and 17th centuries. Not only a virtuoso instrument with a huge repertoire, the lute provided the ideal accompaniment for the voice, played an essential role in ensembles, figured in masques and operas, and was played by amateurs as well as professionals. A highly specialized instrument, this tiorbino is a type of long-necked lute resembling a theorbo, but significantly smaller and pitched an octave higher. An object of great rarity, it is one of the smallest Baroque tiorbinos to survive.
Tiorbino, a stringed instrument that is a type of long-necked lute, features an orange-brown egg-shaped body and a dark brown rectangular neck narrowing toward the top. It has fourteen strings, six of them doubled up. Behind the strings on the body, a circular hole has been inlaid with a dark brown piece outlining interlacing four-leaf shapes. Seven pegs run along either side of the top of the tiorbino's neck, and seven flank the central neck.

Lute or Tiorbino

c. 1620

Italy, probably made in the mid-17th century, but modified by later repair

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