Decorative Indulgences

ca. 1693, [German made guitar, with an ivory and tortoiseshell veneer, engraved marquetry, gilt vellum rosette and carved ivory openwork head], Joachim Tielke

This guitar was made in Hamburg in 1693 by Joachim Tielke, who built a large number of highly prestigious stringed instruments, of which 15 guitars are known to survive today. The instruments were often elaborately decorated with ivory and tortoiseshell inlay similar to the floral motifs on this example.

From about 1650, the guitar became a highly fashionable instrument throughout Europe, and guitarists like Francesco Corbetta (about 1615-1681) and Robert de Visée (about 1650-1725) could make a good living at the courts of Charles II of England and Louis XIV of France respectively. These two composed melodious works at a time when much guitar music consisted of strumming sequences of chords, named after letters of the alphabet ( all’alfabeto), as opposed to notes and keys.

via the Victoria & Albert Museum, Furniture and Woodwork Collection

8 months ago

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    It’s in a museum?! It should be being PLAYED! That’s what it’s FOR!
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