The seller asks if his detail is not correct or can be further enhanced to be contacted. He sells quite a few nice instruments. I do not know if he is a member here- he may be.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/The-Most-....c100005.m1851
The seller asks if his detail is not correct or can be further enhanced to be contacted. He sells quite a few nice instruments. I do not know if he is a member here- he may be.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/The-Most-....c100005.m1851
A little too rococo for me. Lots of pearl in mastic is usually the way for artisans to do quick multiple piece inlays. I have seen that metal bridge on other older instruments but not 100% sure of the German attribution. Possibly from a Catanian maker. I have also seen a Stridente with similar ornamentation (below) and similarly shaped scratchplate.
Jim
My Stream on Soundcloud
19th Century Tunes
Playing lately:
1924 Gibson A4 - 2018 Campanella A-5 - 2007 Brentrup A4C - 1915 Frank Merwin Ashley violin - Huss & Dalton DS - 1923 Gibson A2 black snakehead - '83 Flatiron A5-2 - 1939 Gibson L-00 - 1936 Epiphone Deluxe - 1928 Gibson L-5 - ca. 1890s Fairbanks Senator Banjo - ca. 1923 Vega Style M tenor banjo - ca. 1920 Weymann Style 25 Mandolin-Banjo - National RM-1
Jim, I agree- "way over the top" as we say here. I wonder if such an instrument is an "exhibition" model- possibly made by someone when he reaches a certain level of proficiency. The seller is very knowledgeable but as he requested information, it is clear he is unsure of its provenance. However, as it came from Germany, it was most likely made there.
I bought this- sold by an Italian dealer in Milan- A. Monzino & Garlandi but it was probably made by Meinel & Herold in Saxony and retailed in the UK. I bought it because it has the most fabulous wooden case- made in England! I did like the mandolin as well!
Presentation or exhibition bowlbacks would have fluted backs, engraved inlays and made of high quality materials, in the old days ivory and tortoise shell. This one IMHO does not exhibit high level of workmanship.
Jim
My Stream on Soundcloud
19th Century Tunes
Playing lately:
1924 Gibson A4 - 2018 Campanella A-5 - 2007 Brentrup A4C - 1915 Frank Merwin Ashley violin - Huss & Dalton DS - 1923 Gibson A2 black snakehead - '83 Flatiron A5-2 - 1939 Gibson L-00 - 1936 Epiphone Deluxe - 1928 Gibson L-5 - ca. 1890s Fairbanks Senator Banjo - ca. 1923 Vega Style M tenor banjo - ca. 1920 Weymann Style 25 Mandolin-Banjo - National RM-1
Jim, I am sure you are right in your assertion. It is getting bids but on your estimation, I would reckon it will not go very high as fundamentally, it is not something very special.
Looks pretty clean and fussy for Catania, but who knows? They saw everyone and raised them all more than a few lira.
The ur-Weymann tuners are pretty interesting to see here. Molto pulito!
I prefer the Sicilian exuberance over Roman silly dragons and bottle opener / Orson Welles headstocks any day. But to each their own.
Mick
Ever tried, ever failed? No matter. Try again, fail again. Fail better.--Samuel Beckett
______________________
'05 Cuisinart Toaster
'93 Chuck Taylor lowtops
'12 Stetson Open Road
'06 Bialetti expresso maker
'14 Irish Linen Ramon Puig
Jim
My Stream on Soundcloud
19th Century Tunes
Playing lately:
1924 Gibson A4 - 2018 Campanella A-5 - 2007 Brentrup A4C - 1915 Frank Merwin Ashley violin - Huss & Dalton DS - 1923 Gibson A2 black snakehead - '83 Flatiron A5-2 - 1939 Gibson L-00 - 1936 Epiphone Deluxe - 1928 Gibson L-5 - ca. 1890s Fairbanks Senator Banjo - ca. 1923 Vega Style M tenor banjo - ca. 1920 Weymann Style 25 Mandolin-Banjo - National RM-1
Funky Catania! This guy might be carved from the same block as Jerry Reed!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ICu0GgPya0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRgNcym4Bps
One of my favorite guitar sites: Fetish Guitar and their Carmelo Catania section.
Jim
My Stream on Soundcloud
19th Century Tunes
Playing lately:
1924 Gibson A4 - 2018 Campanella A-5 - 2007 Brentrup A4C - 1915 Frank Merwin Ashley violin - Huss & Dalton DS - 1923 Gibson A2 black snakehead - '83 Flatiron A5-2 - 1939 Gibson L-00 - 1936 Epiphone Deluxe - 1928 Gibson L-5 - ca. 1890s Fairbanks Senator Banjo - ca. 1923 Vega Style M tenor banjo - ca. 1920 Weymann Style 25 Mandolin-Banjo - National RM-1
An interesting looking mandolin for sure. Incidentally, that type of a metal bridge has been a constant source of puzzle for me, and I even have one in my mandolin parts box.....not that it would ever occur to me to use it. I can't figure out what kind of mandolins, if any, were originally supplied with those bridges.
Those metal bridges were made in Germany. I've seen them being for sale in the 1913 Russian dealer's catalogue in the section of sleeve guards, picks and other bric-a-brac. I guess they were sold worldwide back then. I also have one I got with an old bowlback wreck. I don't think any luthiers were using them originally. They tend to damage the wood if left for too long with the strings fully tuned. But being able to adjust the action was, I guess appealing for many.
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